Routine use of the piggyback technique in pediatric orthotopic liver transplantation

Liver transplantation with preservation of the inferior vena cava: lessons learned through 2,000 cases

BACKGROUND

We aim to demonstrate the utility and efficacy of the "piggyback technique" (PBT); liver transplant (LT) with caval preservation.

STUDY DESIGN

Adult LTs were performed with intent to use the PBT except in cases of juxtacaval malignancy or technical difficulty. Hepatic venous outflow was established between the donor suprahepatic cava and the joined ostia of all recipient suprahepatic veins. Technical variants with the donor cava and recipient retrohepatic cava were used as needed. The experience was divided into 2 eras: E1 (1994-2002), E2 (2002-2010).

RESULTS

We completed 945 of 1080 LTs in E1 (87.5%) and 851 of 920 LTs in E2 (92.5%) using the PBT. Thirty day mortality was 4.6% in E1, 3% in E2 (p = 0.02) with 2 intra-operative deaths in E1. One, 3, 5 year patient survival was 83.7, 75.6, 69.3% in E1 vs. 86, 78.4, 73.8% in E2 (p = 0.057). Graft survival was 77.7, 69, 62.3% in E1 vs. 84, 76.2, 71.2% in E2 (p < 0.0001). Median operative time and hospital length of stay improved in E2 (p < 0.0001, 0.0001). Outflow variants were used more frequently in E2 (11.3% vs. 6.1%). Nine patients (0.5%) developed outflow obstruction, 6 in E1, and 3 in E2. Twice, it was recognized and corrected intraoperatively. Seven patients presented with refractory ascites. Six were successfully treated (4 balloon dilatation, 2 surgical revision), one patient died after attempted dilatation.

CONCLUSIONS

The PBT can be used as the preferred technique in adult LT. With experience, the technique was used more frequently, with more variants, with improved outcomes. Outflow obstruction was a rare complication.

Piggyback technique in adult orthotopic liver transplantation: an analysis of 1067 liver transplants at a single center

BACKGROUND

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in adult patients has traditionally been performed using conventional caval reconstruction technique (CV) with veno-venous bypass. Recently, the piggyback technique (PB) without veno-venous bypass has begun to be widely used. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of routine use of PB on OLTs in adult patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis was undertaken of 1067 orthotopic cadaveric whole liver transplantations in adult patients treated between June 1994 and July 2001. PB was used as the routine procedure. Patient demographics, factors including cold ischemia time (CIT), warm ischemia time (WIT), operative time, transfusions, blood loss, and postoperative results were assessed. The effects of clinical factors on graft survival were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses.In all, 918 transplantations (86%) were performed with PB. Blood transfusion, WIT, and usage of veno-venous bypass were less with PB. Seventy-five (8.3%) cases with PB had refractory ascites following OLT (p=NS). Five venous outflow stenosis cases (0.54%) with PB were noted (p=NS). The liver and renal function during the postoperative periods was similar. Overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival rates were 85%, 78%, and 72% with PB. Univariate analysis showed that cava reconstruction method, CIT, WIT, amount of transfusion, length of hospital stay, donor age, and tumor presence were significant factors influencing graft survival. Multivariate analysis further reinforced the fact that CIT, donor age, amount of transfusion, and hospital stay were prognostic factors for graft survival.

CONCLUSIONS

PB can be performed safely in the majority of adult OLTs. Results of OLT with PB are as same as for CV. Liver function, renal function, morbidity, mortality, and patient and graft survival are similar to CV. However, amount of transfusion, WIT, and use of veno-venous bypass are less with PB.

Stenosis of the hepatic vein anastomosis after liver transplantation: treatment with a heparin-coated metal stent

Delayed-onset fibrotic stenosis of the hepatic-vein anastomosis following liver transplantation resulted in ascites and abnormal liver-function tests. The stenosis was treated with balloon dilatation resulting in a clinical improvement; however, this had to be repeated four times in the 9 months after transplantation due to recurrent stenosis. The stenosis was eventually successfully treated with percutaneous insertion of a metal stent. Aspirin 50 mg daily was prescribed for 1 month. The patient was not anticoagulated. The patient remains clinically well at follow up after 18 months.

Hepatectomia total com preservação da veia cava inferior: "piggy-back" experimental em cães

No transplante de fígado, a preservação do segmento retro-hepático da veia cava durante a hepatectomia do receptor apresenta uma série de vantagens: diminuição do tempo de isquemia quente por eliminar a anastomose da veia cava infra-hepática, redução da necessidade da utilização de derivações veno-venosas e simplificação da cirurgia do re-transplante hepático. Em cães, os lobos hepáticos lateral direito e caudado são caprichosamente atravessados pela veia cava inferior, dificultando a completa "esqueletização" do vaso. No presente trabalho, os autores revisam a singular história do método do "piggy-back" experimental e clínico, e discutem a técnica da cirurgia em cães.

Primary living-donor liver transplantation at the University of Chicago: technical aspects of the first 104 recipients

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of technical modifications on living-donor liver transplants in children since their introduction in 1989.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Although more than 4,000 liver transplants are performed every year in the United States, only approximately 500 are performed in children. Living-donor liver transplantation has helped to alleviate the organ shortage for small children in need of liver transplantation. Few centers have amassed a sufficient number of cases to evaluate the impact of the different techniques used in pediatric living-donor liver transplantation.

METHODS

From 1989 through 1997, 104 primary living-donor liver transplants were performed at the University of Chicago. Three phases of the living-donor liver transplant program can be defined based on the techniques of vascular reconstruction: phase 1, November 1989 to November 1994 (n = 78); phase 2, November 1994 to January 1996 (n = 6); and January 1996 to present (n = 20). The patients' charts were reviewed retrospectively. The incidence and type of vascular complications and patient and graft survival rates were analyzed.

RESULTS

Although the demographics of the patients have not changed during the three phases of the living-donor liver transplant program, the outcomes have improved. Without the use of conduits, the incidence of portal vein complications has significantly decreased from 44% to 8%. The incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis has decreased from 22% to 0% with the use of microvascular techniques. The combined use of both techniques has led to a significant increase in graft survival, from 74% to 94%.

CONCLUSIONS

The living-donor liver transplant recipient operation has undergone significant technical changes since its introduction in 1989. These changes have decreased the vascular complications associated with this type of graft. Avoiding the use of vascular conduits and performing microvascular hepatic artery anastomoses are the critical steps in improving graft survival.