Orthotopic liver transplantation without venovenous bypass: 125 cases from a single center

Could retrograde reperfusion combined with washout technique broaden the applicability of marginal grafts in liver transplantation? Intra-operative and short-term outcomes of a prospective cohort

INTRODUCTION

many revascularization techniques were designed to reduce the imbalance of ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study's objective is to evaluate retrograde reperfusion (RR) compared to sequential anterograde reperfusion (AR), with and without the washout technique (WO).

METHOD

this prospective cohort study collected data from 94 deceased donor orthotopic liver transplants and divided it into three groups: RR with WO (RR+WO), AP with WO (AR+WO), and AP without WO (AR). This study did not assign the reperfusion technique to the participants. The primary outcome considered the early graft dysfunction, and secondary outcomes included post-reperfusion syndrome (PRS), post-reperfusion lactate, surgery fluid balance, and vasoactive drug dose during the surgery.

RESULTS

87 patients were submitted to the final analysis-29 in the RR+WO group, 27 in the AR+WO group, and 31 in the AR group. Marginal grafts prevalence was not significantly different between the groups (34% vs. 22% vs. 23%; p=0.49) and early graft dysfunction occurred at the same rate (24% vs. 26% vs. 19%; p=0.72). RR+WO reduced serum post-reperfusion lactate (p=0.034) and the incidence of significant PRS (17% vs. 33% vs. 55%; p=0.051), but norepinephrine dosing >0.5mcg/kg/min were not different during the surgery (20,7% vs. 29,6% vs. 35,5%, p=0.45).

CONCLUSIONS

primary outcome was not significantly different between the groups; however, intraoperative hemodynamic management was safer using the RR+WO technique. We theorized that the RR+WO technique could reduce the incidence of PRS and benefit marginal graft survival following diseased donor orthotopic liver transplantation.

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy after Liver Transplantation: Peri-Operative Associated Factors and Impact on Survival

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is usually started for multifactorial reasons, with variable incidence among series. This paper presents a single-center retrospective observational study on the early use (within one week) of CRRT after consecutive cadaveric OLT from January 2008 to December 2016. Preoperative patient characteristics and intraoperative data were collected, and patients were divided into two groups (CRRT and no CRRT) to explore the factors associated with the use of CRRT. Repeated measurements of postoperative creatinine were analyzed with generalized estimating equation (GEE) models. Among 528 OLT patients, 75 (14.2%) were treated with CRRT at least once in the first week. Patients treated with CRRT showed lower survival in a Kaplan−Meier curve (log-rank p value < 0.01). Patients treated with CRRT had a more severe preoperative profile, with a significantly higher age, MELD, BUN, creatinine, and total bilirubin, as well as a longer surgery time and a higher number of transfusions of red blood cells, plasma, and platelets (all p values < 0.05). In a stepwise multiple analysis, the following characteristics remained independently associated with the use of CRRT: the MELD score OR 1.12 (95% CL: 1.07−1.16), p value < 0.001, and the preoperative value for blood urea nitrogen OR 1.016 (95% CL: 1.010−1.023), p value < 0.001. The early use of CRRT after OLT occurred at a low rate in this large cohort; however, it was associated with worse outcomes. Apart from the preoperative severity, repeated intraoperative hypotension episodes, which were likely modifiable or preventable, were associated with the increased use of CRRT and higher postoperative creatinine.

Transoesophageal echocardiography during liver transplantation

Liver transplantation (LT) has become the standard of care for patients with end stage liver disease. The allocation of organs, which prioritizes the sickest patients, has made the management of liver transplant candidates more complex both as regards their comorbidities and their higher risk of perioperative complications. Patients undergoing LT frequently display considerable physiological changes during the procedures as a result of both the disease process and the surgery. Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE), which visualizes dynamic cardiac function and overall contractility, has become essential for perioperative LT management and can optimize the anaesthetic management of these highly complex patients. Moreover, TEE can provide useful information on volume status and the adequacy of therapeutic interventions and can diagnose early intraoperative complications, such as the embolization of large vessels or development of pulmonary hypertension. In this review, directed at clinicians who manage TEE during LT, we show why the procedure merits a place in challenging anaesthetic environment and how it can provide essential information in the perioperative management of compromised patients undergoing this very complex surgical procedure.