Techniques for Closing the Abdominal Wall in Intestinal and Multivisceral Transplantation: A Systematic Review.

Short bowel syndrome is the most common etiology of intestinal failure, resulting from either resections of different intestinal segments or a congenital condition. Due to the absence or considerable reduction of intestinal loops in the abdominal cavity, patients with short bowel syndrome present with atrophy and muscle retraction of the abdominal wall, which leads to loss of abdominal domain and elasticity. This complication is an aggravating factor of intestinal transplantation since it can prevent the primary closure of the abdominal wall. A vast array of surgical techniques to overcome the challenges of the complexity of the abdominal wall have been described in the literature. The aim of our study was to review the modalities of abdominal wall closure in intestinal/multivisceral transplantation. Our study consisted of a systematic review following the methodological instructions described in the PRISMA guidelines. Duplicate studies and studies that did not meet the criteria for the systematic review were excluded, especially those without relevance and an explicit relationship with the investigated theme. After this step, 63 articles were included in our study. The results obtained with these techniques have been encouraging, but a high incidence of wound complications in some reports has raised concerns. There is no consensus among transplantation centers regarding which technique would be ideal and with higher success rates and lower rates of complications.

CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS WITH ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY (AKI) HAVE HIGHER MORTALITY AFTER ABDOMINAL HERNIA SURGERY.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of abdominal hernia in cirrhotic patients is as higher as 20%; in cases of major ascites the incidence may increase up to 40%. One of the main and most serious complications in cirrhotic postoperative period (PO) is acute kidney injury (AKI). AIM: To analyze the renal function of cirrhotic patients undergoing to hernia surgery and evaluate the factors related to AKI. METHODS: Follow-up of 174 cirrhotic patients who underwent hernia surgery. Laboratory tests including the renal function were collected in the PO.AKI was defined based on the consensus of the ascite´s club. They were divided into two groups: with (AKI PO) and without AKI . RESULTS: All 174 patients were enrolled and AKI occurred in 58 (34.9%). In the AKI PO group, 74.1% had emergency surgery, whereas in the group without AKI PO it was only 34.6%.In the group with AKI PO, 90.4% presented complications, whereas in the group without AKI PO they occurred only in 29.9%. Variables age, baseline MELD, baseline creatinine, creatinine in immediate postoperative (POI), AKI and the presence of ascites were statistically significant for survival. CONCLUSIONS: There is association between AKI PO and emergency surgery and, also, between AKI PO and complications after surgery. The factors related to higher occurrence were initial MELD, basal Cr, Cr POI. The patients with postoperative AKI had a higher rate of complications and higher mortality.

Vacuum assisted closure for defects of the abdominal wall after intestinal transplantation.

Background: Isolated intestinal transplantation (IT) is indicated in cases of intestinal failure (IF) in the absence of severe liver dysfunction. Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is the most frequent IF etiology, and due to the absence or considerable reduction of intestinal loops in the abdominal cavity in these patients, there is atrophy and muscle retraction of the abdominal wall, leading to loss of the abdominal domain and elasticity and preventing the primary closure of the abdominal wall. This study aimed to describe a technique for the closure of the abdominal wall after IT without using prostheses. Methods: Four patients underwent IT with the impossibility of primary closure of the abdominal wall. We describe a novel technique, associating a series of vacuum-assisted closure dressings, components separation, and relaxation incisions. Results: All patients presented a successful closure of the abdominal wall with the described technique, with no complications related to the abdominal wall. Conclusion: The technique proved to be safe, effective, and reproducible as an option for abdominal wall closure after IT. Employing this technique in a greater number of cases is necessary to confirm these results.

Uterus procurement from deceased donor for transplantation.

Women with absolute uterine factor infertility cannot get pregnant. The current experience in uterine transplantation is limited and the use of a deceased donor uterus in this area is incipient after some initial unsuccessful attempts. The birth of healthy babies through this modality in four different centers has given a new impetus to the use of this transplantation technique. We aimed to develop a technique for uterus procurement and preparation for transplantation from a brain dead donor. Fifteen uteri were retrieved from multi-organ donor patients, 10 of these were used in bench surgeries with the proposed technique. All procedures were performed after obtaining family's consent. This study allowed the clinical use of two of the 15 organs that were procured for transplantation. One of these organs resulted in the first live birth worldwide using a uterus transplanted from a deceased donor, a landmark in reproductive medicine. Another outcome was the optimization of the surgical technique involving less manipulation of the uterine vascular pedicles. The success of this novel technique suggests that the proposed model can be replicated and optimized further to facilitate the transplantation of uterus from deceased donors.

Cirrhotic patients with acute kidney injury (aki) have higher mortality after abdominal hernia surgery / Pacientes cirróticos com lesão renal aguda tem maior mortalidade após cirurgia de hérnia abdominal

ABSTRACT Background: The incidence of abdominal hernia in cirrhotic patients is as higher as 20%; in cases of major ascites the incidence may increase up to 40%. One of the main and most serious complications in cirrhotic postoperative period (PO) is acute kidney injury (AKI). Aim: To analyze the renal function of cirrhotic patients undergoing to hernia surgery and evaluate the factors related to AKI. Methods: Follow-up of 174 cirrhotic patients who underwent hernia surgery. Laboratory tests including the renal function were collected in the PO.AKI was defined based on the consensus of the ascite´s club. They were divided into two groups: with (AKI PO) and without AKI . Results: All 174 patients were enrolled and AKI occurred in 58 (34.9%). In the AKI PO group, 74.1% had emergency surgery, whereas in the group without AKI PO it was only 34.6%.In the group with AKI PO, 90.4% presented complications, whereas in the group without AKI PO they occurred only in 29.9%. Variables age, baseline MELD, baseline creatinine, creatinine in immediate postoperative (POI), AKI and the presence of ascites were statistically significant for survival. Conclusions: There is association between AKI PO and emergency surgery and, also, between AKI PO and complications after surgery. The factors related to higher occurrence were initial MELD, basal Cr, Cr POI. The patients with postoperative AKI had a higher rate of complications and higher mortality.

RESUMO Racional: A incidência de hérnia abdominal em pacientes cirróticos é elevada, em torno de 20%. Em casos de ascite volumosa, a incidência atinge valores até 40%. Uma das principais e mais graves complicações no pós-operatório de correção de hérnias de pacientes cirróticos é a insuficiência renal aguda (IRA). Objetivo: Analisar a função renal de pacientes cirróticos submetidos a herniorrafias, comparando aqueles que apresentavam IRA pós-operatório com os demais, para determinar os fatores relacionados à sua ocorrência. Método: Seguimento de pacientes cirróticos submetidos à cirurgia de hérnia entre 2001 e 2014 no Serviço de Transplante de Fígado. Foram coletados exames laboratoriais para avaliar a função renal no pós-operatório rotineiramente. A IRA foi definida com base no consenso do clube da ascite em 2015. Resultados: Dos 174 pacientes incluídos, ocorreu IRA em 58 pacientes (34,9%). Houve diferença entre grupos para as seguintes variáveis: MELD inicial, creatinina basal e creatinina, o grupo com IRA apresentou medias superiores ao grupo que não apresentou IRA. No grupo IRA PO, 74,1% das cirurgias, foram realizadas em caráter de emergência, enquanto que no grupo sem IRA no pós-operatório, 34,6%. No grupo IRA, 90,4% dos indivíduos apresentaram complicações no pós-operatório, enquanto no grupo sem IRA, 29,9%. As variáveis idade, MELD inicial, creatinina basal e creatinina no pós-operatório inicial foram estatisticamente significantes na análise de sobrevida. Conclusões: Existe uma associação entre IRA pós-operatória e cirurgia de emergência e IRA pós-operatóri e complicações pós-operatórias. Os fatores relacionados à maior ocorrência de IRA em pacientes cirróticos submetidos à cirurgia de hérnia são o MELD inicial, creatinina basal, creatinina pós-operatória inicial. O preparo de pacientes cirróticos com hérnia abdominal antes de procedimentos cirúrgicos deve ocorrer sistematicamente, pois apresentam alta incidência de IRA pós-operatória.

Hepatic Artery Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation in Adult Recipients Using Pediatric Deceased Donors.

INTRODUCTION: Routinely, pediatric donor (PD) grafts are allocated to pediatric liver transplantation (LT) recipients; however, occasionally they can be allocated for adult recipients (ARs). Some authors reported decreased patient/graft survival and higher vascular complications, such as hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT), in LT in ARs using PDs. METHODS: It is a retrospective study enrolling 1202 ARs undergoing LT using whole liver grafts during the period of January 2002 to April 2019. The patients were categorized according to donor age in 2 groups: PDs and adult donors (ADs). The variables were collected from the database including the graft to recipient weight ratio (GWRW) and the incidence of HAT and graft primary nonfunction (PNF). RESULTS: The AD group had 1152 patients, and the PD group had 50 patients. PNF occurred in 68 (5.66%) patients, and the distribution between the 2 groups were similar: 65 (5.64%) in the AD group, and 3 (6%) in the PD group (P = .915). HAT was diagnosed in 30 (2.6%) patients in the AD group and in 6 (12%) patients in the PD group. HAT was significantly higher in the PD group (P = .001). In the PD group, the GWRWs among patients diagnosed with HAT were similar (P = .152). CONCLUSION: HAT is higher in PDs, although it is a viable alternative with satisfactory results. Serial Doppler in the first week and early introduction of platelet antiaggregants and/or anticoagulants may be beneficial, albeit it is not clear if it could reduce the incidence of HAT.

Yellow fever and orthotopic liver transplantation: new insights from the autopsy room for an old but re-emerging disease.

AIMS: The clinical spectrum of yellow fever (YF) ranges from asymptomatic to fulminant hepatitis. During the sylvatic YF epidemic in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil in 2018, seven orthotopic liver transplantations (OLTs) were performed in our institution to treat fulminant YF hepatitis. Three patients recovered, while four patients died following OLT. The autopsy findings of all these cases are presented herein as the first description of YF in transplanted patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients were men, aged 16-40 years, without vaccination to YF virus (YFV). All organs were examined, with tissue sampling for histopathological analysis. Detection of YF virus antigens (YFV Ag) was performed with two primary antibodies (mouse polyclonal anti-YFV antibody directed to wild strain and a goat anti-YF virus antibody), and RT-PCR assays were utilised to detect YFV-RNA. All the cases depicted typical findings of YF hepatitis in the engrafted liver. The main extrahepatic findings were cerebral oedema, pulmonary haemorrhage, pneumonia, acute tubular necrosis and ischaemic/reperfusion pancreatitis. Of the four cases, the YVF Ag was detected in the heart in one case, liver and testis in three cases, and the kidney and spleen in all four cases. All four cases had YF virus RNA detected by RT-PCR in the liver and in other organs. CONCLUSIONS: Infection of the engrafted liver and other organs by YFV, possibly combined with major ischaemic systemic lesions, may have led to the death of four of the seven patients undergoing OLT.

Resection for intrahepatic cholangiocellular cancer: new advances.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most prevalent primary liver neoplasm after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), corresponding to 10% to 15% of cases. Pathologies that cause chronic biliary inflammation and bile stasis are known predisposing factors for development of ICC. The incidence and cancer-related mortality of ICC is increasing worldwide. Most patients remain asymptomatic until advance stage, commonly presenting with a liver mass incidentally diagnosed. The only potentially curative treatment available for ICC is surgical resection. The prognosis is dismal for unresectable cases. The principle of the surgical approach is a margin negative hepatic resection with preservation of adequate liver remnant. Regional lymphadenectomy is recommended at time of hepatectomy due to the massive impact on outcomes caused by lymph node (LN) metastasis. Multicentric disease, tumor size, margin status and tumor differentiation are also important prognostic factors. Staging laparoscopy is warranted in high-risk patients to avoid unnecessary laparotomy. Exceedingly complex surgical procedures, such as major vascular, extrahepatic bile ducts and visceral resections, ex vivo hepatectomy and autotransplantation, should be implemented in properly selected patients to achieve negative margins. Neoadjuvant therapy may be used in initially unresectable lesions in order to downstage and allow resection. Despite optimal surgical management, recurrence is frustratingly high. Adjuvant chemotherapy with radiation associated with locoregional treatments should be considered in cases with unfavorable prognostic factors. Selected patients may undergo re-resection of tumor recurrence. Despite the historically poor outcomes of liver transplantation for ICC, highly selected patients with unresectable disease, especially those with adequate response to neoadjuvant therapy, may be offered transplant. In this article, we reviewed the current literature in order to highlight the most recent advances and recommendations for the surgical treatment of this aggressive malignancy.

A Case of Left Renal Vein Ligation in a Patient with Solitary Left Kidney Undergoing Liver Transplantation to Control Splenorenal Shunt and Improve Portal Venous Flow.

BACKGROUND Adequate portal venous flow is required for successful liver transplantation. Reduced venous flow and blood flow 'steal' by collateral vessels are a concern, and when there is a prominent splenorenal shunt present, ligation of the left renal vein has been recommended to improve portal venous blood flow. CASE REPORT A 51-year-old man who had undergone right nephrectomy in childhood required liver transplantation for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The patient had no other comorbidity and no history of hepatorenal syndrome. At transplantation surgery, portal venous flow was poor and did not improve with ligation of shunt veins, but ligation of the left renal vein improved portal venous flow. On the first and fifth postoperative days, the patient was treated with basiliximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody to the IL-2 receptor, and methylprednisolone. The calcineurin inhibitor, tacrolimus, was introduced on the fifth postoperative day. On the sixteenth postoperative day, renal color Doppler ultrasound showed normal left renal parenchyma; hepatic Doppler ultrasound showed good portal vein flow and preserved hepatic parenchyma in the liver transplant. CONCLUSIONS This case report has shown that in a patient with a single left kidney, left renal vein ligation is feasible and safe in a patient with no other risk factors for renal impairment following liver transplantation. Modification of postoperative immunosuppression to avoid calcineurin inhibitors in the very early postoperative phase may be important in promoting good recovery of renal function and to avoid the need for postoperative renal dialysis.

Living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular cancer: an (almost) exclusive Eastern procedure?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most prevalent cancer and it is linked with chronic liver disease. Liver transplantation (LT) is the best curative treatment modality, since it can cure simultaneously the underlying liver disease and HCC. Milan criteria (MC) are the benchmark for selecting patients with HCC for LT, achieving up to 91% 1-year survival post transplantation. However, when considering intention-to-treat (ITT) rates are substantially lower, mainly due dropout. Additionally, Milan criteria (MC) are too restrictive and more inclusive criteria have been reported with good outcomes. Mainly, in Eastern countries, deceased donors are scarce, therefore Asian centers have developed living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) to a state-of-art status. There are many eastern centers reporting huge numbers of LDLT with outstanding results. Regarding HCC patients, they have reported many criteria including more advanced tumors achieving reasonable outcomes. Western countries have well-established deceased-donor liver transplantation (DDLT) programs. However, organ shortage and restrictive criteria for listing patients with HCC endorses LDLT as a good option to offer curative treatment to more HCC patients. However, there are some controversial reports claiming higher rates of HCC recurrence after LDLT than DDLT. An extensive review included 30 studies with cohorts of HCC patients who underwent LDLT in both East and West countries. We reported also the results of our Institution, in Brazil, where it was performed the first LDLT. This review also addresses the eligibility criteria for transplanting patients with HCC developed in Western and Eastern countries.

PREOPERATIVE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY VOLUMETRY AND GRAFT WEIGHT ESTIMATION IN ADULT LIVING DONOR LIVER TRANSPLANTATION.

Background: Computed tomography volumetry (CTV) is a useful tool for predicting graft weights (GW) for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Few studies have examined the correlation between CTV and GW in normal liver parenchyma. Aim: To analyze the correlation between CTV and GW in an adult LDLT population and provide a systematic review of the existing mathematical models to calculate partial liver graft weight. Methods: Between January 2009 and January 2013, 28 consecutive donors undergoing right hepatectomy for LDLT were retrospectively reviewed. All grafts were perfused with HTK solution. Estimated graft volume was estimated by CTV and these values were compared to the actual graft weight, which was measured after liver harvesting and perfusion. Results: Median actual GW was 782.5 g, averaged 791.43±136 g and ranged from 520-1185 g. Median estimated graft volume was 927.5 ml, averaged 944.86±200.74 ml and ranged from 600-1477 ml. Linear regression of estimated graft volume and actual GW was significantly linear (GW=0.82 estimated graft volume, r2=0.98, slope=0.47, standard deviation of 0.024 and p<0.0001). Spearman Linear correlation was 0.65 with 95% CI of 0.45 - 0.99 (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The one-to-one rule did not applied in patients with normal liver parenchyma. A better estimation of graft weight could be reached by multiplying estimated graft volume by 0.82.

Racional: A volumetria por tomografia computadorizada (VTC) é uma ferramenta útil para a previsão do peso do enxerto (PE) para o transplante hepático com doador vivo (TFDV). Poucos estudos examinaram a correlação entre o VTC e PE no parênquima hepático normal. Objetivo: Analisar a correlação entre VTC e PE em uma população adulta de doadores para o TFDV e realização de revisão sistemática dos modelos matemáticos existentes para calcular o peso de enxertos hepáticos parciais. Métodos: Foram revisados retrospectivamente 28 doadores consecutivos submetidos à hepatectomia direita para o TFDV entre janeiro de 2009 a janeiro de 2013. Todos os doadores eram adultos saudáveis ​​com VTC pré-operatório. Os enxertos foram perfundidos com solução de preservação HTK. O volume estimado foi obtido por VTC e estes valores foram comparados com o peso real do enxerto, o qual foi aferido depois da hepatectomia e perfusão do enxerto. Resultados: A mediana do PE real foi de 782,5 g, média de 791,43±136 g, variando de 520-1185 g. A mediana do volume estimado do enxerto foi de 927,5 ml, média de 944,86±200,74 ml e variou de 600-1477 ml. A regressão linear volume estimado do enxerto e PE real foi significativamente linear (PE=0.82 do volume estimado do enxerto, r2=0,98, declive=0,47, desvio-padrão de 0,024 e p<0,0001). Correlação linear de Spearman foi de 0,65, com IC de 95% do 0,45-0,99 (p<0,0001). Conclusão: A regra de "um-para-um" não deve ser empregada em pacientes com parênquima hepático normal. A melhor estimativa do peso do enxerto hepático de doador vivo pode ser alcançado através da multiplicação do VTC por 0,82.

Preoperative computed tomography volumetry and graft weight estimation in adult living donor liver transplantation / Estimativa do peso do enxerto hepático no transplante intervivos através da volumetria realizada por tomografia computadorizada pré-operatória

ABSTRACT Background: Computed tomography volumetry (CTV) is a useful tool for predicting graft weights (GW) for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Few studies have examined the correlation between CTV and GW in normal liver parenchyma. Aim: To analyze the correlation between CTV and GW in an adult LDLT population and provide a systematic review of the existing mathematical models to calculate partial liver graft weight. Methods: Between January 2009 and January 2013, 28 consecutive donors undergoing right hepatectomy for LDLT were retrospectively reviewed. All grafts were perfused with HTK solution. Estimated graft volume was estimated by CTV and these values were compared to the actual graft weight, which was measured after liver harvesting and perfusion. Results: Median actual GW was 782.5 g, averaged 791.43±136 g and ranged from 520-1185 g. Median estimated graft volume was 927.5 ml, averaged 944.86±200.74 ml and ranged from 600-1477 ml. Linear regression of estimated graft volume and actual GW was significantly linear (GW=0.82 estimated graft volume, r2=0.98, slope=0.47, standard deviation of 0.024 and p<0.0001). Spearman Linear correlation was 0.65 with 95% CI of 0.45 - 0.99 (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The one-to-one rule did not applied in patients with normal liver parenchyma. A better estimation of graft weight could be reached by multiplying estimated graft volume by 0.82.

RESUMO Racional: A volumetria por tomografia computadorizada (VTC) é uma ferramenta útil para a previsão do peso do enxerto (PE) para o transplante hepático com doador vivo (TFDV). Poucos estudos examinaram a correlação entre o VTC e PE no parênquima hepático normal. Objetivo: Analisar a correlação entre VTC e PE em uma população adulta de doadores para o TFDV e realização de revisão sistemática dos modelos matemáticos existentes para calcular o peso de enxertos hepáticos parciais. Métodos: Foram revisados retrospectivamente 28 doadores consecutivos submetidos à hepatectomia direita para o TFDV entre janeiro de 2009 a janeiro de 2013. Todos os doadores eram adultos saudáveis ​​com VTC pré-operatório. Os enxertos foram perfundidos com solução de preservação HTK. O volume estimado foi obtido por VTC e estes valores foram comparados com o peso real do enxerto, o qual foi aferido depois da hepatectomia e perfusão do enxerto. Resultados: A mediana do PE real foi de 782,5 g, média de 791,43±136 g, variando de 520-1185 g. A mediana do volume estimado do enxerto foi de 927,5 ml, média de 944,86±200,74 ml e variou de 600-1477 ml. A regressão linear volume estimado do enxerto e PE real foi significativamente linear (PE=0.82 do volume estimado do enxerto, r2=0,98, declive=0,47, desvio-padrão de 0,024 e p<0,0001). Correlação linear de Spearman foi de 0,65, com IC de 95% do 0,45-0,99 (p<0,0001). Conclusão: A regra de "um-para-um" não deve ser empregada em pacientes com parênquima hepático normal. A melhor estimativa do peso do enxerto hepático de doador vivo pode ser alcançado através da multiplicação do VTC por 0,82.

Artery reconstruction in liver transplantation: the best reconstruction of right hepatic artery variation.

INTRODUCTION: Variations on the anatomy of the hepatic artery are common, with incidence of 20-50%. In liver transplantation, back-table reconstruction is often necessary for an easier and prompt arterial anastomosis and so, the use of arterial patches has been related to lower the incidence of complications. However, when a right hepatic artery variation from the superior mesenteric artery is present, the reconstruction occasionally produces twisting and flow problems. METHODS: Is described a surgical alternative for right hepatic artery variation reconstruction using a Carrel-patch from the superior mesenteric artery. The patch is anastomosed with the splenic artery stump to allow vertical orientation and improve blood flow. RESULTS: Among 120 liver transplants, four consecutive cases of right hepatic artery variation were reconstructed using this technique. All of them showed good flow and patency in postoperative period. CONCLUSION: The proposed technique proved to be an interesting alternative for the reconstruction of right hepatic artery variation in liver transplantation.

Reconstrução arterial no transplante hepático: a melhor reconstrução para variação da artéria hepática direita / Artery reconstruction in liver transplantation: the best reconstruction of right hepatic artery variation

INTRODUÇÃO: Variações na anatomia da artéria hepática são comuns, com incidência de 20-50%. No transplante hepático, reconstruções durante a operção de bandeja são frequentemente necessárias para proporcionar anastomoses arteriais adequadas. O uso de "patch" é frequente, visando reduzir a incidência de complicações. Entretanto, quando está presente a variação da artéria hepática direita, ramo da artéria mesentérica superior, a reconstrução ocasionalmente produz torções e problemas de fluxo. MÉTODOS: Descreve-se uma técnica cirúrgica alternativa para reconstrução da variação da artéria hepática direita usando um "patch de Carrel" da artéria mesentérica superior. O "patch" é anastomosado no coto da artéria esplênica permitindo orientação vertical e bom fluxo sanguíneo. RESULTADOS: Entre 120 transplantes hepáticos, quatro casos consecutivos de variação da artéria hepática direita foram reconstruídas utilizando essa técnica. Todos eles apresentaram patência e bom fluxo no pós-operatório. CONCLUSÃO: A técnica proposta mostra-se interessante método alternativo para reconstrução da variação da artéria hepática direita no transplante hepático.

INTRODUCTION: Variations on the anatomy of the hepatic artery are common, with incidence of 20-50%. In liver transplantation, back-table reconstruction is often necessary for an easier and prompt arterial anastomosis and so, the use of arterial patches has been related to lower the incidence of complications. However, when a right hepatic artery variation from the superior mesenteric artery is present, the reconstruction occasionally produces twisting and flow problems. METHODS: Is described a surgical alternative for right hepatic artery variation reconstruction using a Carrel-patch from the superior mesenteric artery. The patch is anastomosed with the splenic artery stump to allow vertical orientation and improve blood flow. RESULTS: Among 120 liver transplants, four consecutive cases of right hepatic artery variation were reconstructed using this technique. All of them showed good flow and patency in postoperative period. CONCLUSION: The proposed technique proved to be an interesting alternative for the reconstruction of right hepatic artery variation in liver transplantation.

Unusual case of pentastomiasis mimicking liver tumor.

Pentastomiasis is a rare zoonotic disease. Almost all recorded cases of human pentastomiasis had been incidental findings at autopsy. We report an unusual case of human pentastomiasis mimicking liver tumor successfully treated by liver resection. This clinical presentation is uncommon and it was probably caused by a pentastomid that exited its cyst and migrated to the liver causing an infarct that was mistaken as a primary liver tumor. Diagnosis could not be made before the surgery. This is the first reported case of human pentastomiasis in Brazil.

Laparoscopic resection of gastric duplication: successful treatment of a rare entity.

Alimentary tract duplications are rare congenital malformations that may be found anywhere from mouth to anus. They usually share a common smooth muscle wall and blood supply with the adjacent bowel. Some duplications are asymptomatic but most cause problems in early childhood. Gastric duplications account for 2% to 7% of all gastrointestinal duplications. The management of gastric duplication is essentially surgical. The treatment of choice is the complete excision of the gastric duplication without violation of the gastric lumen whenever possible. The authors report an unusual case of gastroesophageal junction duplication completely removed by laparoscopy. To our knowledge, this is the first case of gastric duplication successfully treated by laparoscopy in English literature. Laparoscopic resection may be added to the surgical armamentarium in the treatment of alimentary tract duplications.