Effects of N-Acetylcysteine Addition to University of Wisconsin Solution on the Rate of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Adult Orthotopic Liver Transplant.

OBJECTIVES: One of the main concerns in liver transplant is the prolonged ischemia time, which may lead to primary graft nonfunction or delayed function. N-acetylcysteine is known as a hepato-protective agent in different studies, which may improve human hepatocyte viability in steatotic donor livers. This study investigated whether N-acetylcysteine can decrease the rate of ischemia-reperfusion syndrome and improve short-term outcome in liver transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a double-blind, randomized, control clinical trial of 115 patients. Between April 2012 and January 2013, patients with orthotopic liver transplant were randomly divided into 2 groups; in 49 cases N-acetylcysteine was added to University of Wisconsin solution as the preservative liquid (experimental group), and in 66 cases standard University of Wisconsin solution was used (control group). We compared postreperfusion hypotension, inotrope requirement before and after portal reperfusion, intermittent arterial blood gas analysis and potassium measurement, pathological review of transplanted liver, in-hospital complications, morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups regarding time to hepatic artery reperfusion, hospital stay, vascular complications, inotrope requirement before and after portal declamping, and blood gas analysis. Hypotension after portal reperfusion was significantly more common in experimental group compared with control group (P = .005). Retransplant and in-hospital mortality were comparable between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Preservation of the liver inside Univer-sity of Wisconsin solution plus N-acetylcysteine did not change the rate of ischemia reperfusion injury and short-term outcome in liver transplant recipients.

Preperitoneal tunneling-a novel technique in peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion.

INTRODUCTION: This study describes a new preperitoneal tunneling (PPT) method for inserting a peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC), thereby lessening surgical complications and increasing the catheter's survival. METHODS: This new technique was used in 23 cases from December 2005 to January 2007 and followed up until March 2011 (63 months). The procedure was performed laparoscopically under local (16 cases) or general (7 cases) anesthesia by one surgeon. Catheter survival is reported by Kaplan-Meyer analysis. RESULTS: The catheters were mechanically obstructed in 2/23 cases (8.7%); and were withdrawn due to a peritonitis in 2 cases and inadequacy of peritoneal dialysis in 1 case. Ten patients received kidney transplantation and six died before completing this follow-up period. The patients still reaped the benefits of the PDC until receiving a kidney transplant or death. The 5-year survival rate of the catheter was 89%. No incidence of catheter migration, omental wrapping, herniation or leakage was noticed. CONCLUSION: Preperitoneal tunneling is a simple and safe method for insertion of PDC, and can effectively prevent catheter migration, dislocation and omental wrapping.