Small bowel and abdominal wall transplantation: A novel technique for synchronous revascularization

Abdominal Wall Closure in Intestinal and Multivisceral Transplantation: A State-Of-The-Art Review of Vascularized Abdominal Wall and Nonvascularized Rectus Fascia Transplantation

Failure to close the abdomen after intestinal or multivisceral transplantation (Tx) remains a frequently occurring problem. Two attractive reconstruction methods, especially in large abdominal wall defects, are full-thickness abdominal wall vascularized composite allograft (AW-VCA) and nonvascularized rectus fascia (NVRF) Tx. This review compares surgical technique, immunology, integration, clinical experience, and indications of both techniques. In AW-VCA Tx, vascular anastomosis is required and the graft undergoes hypotrophy post-Tx. Furthermore, it has immunologic benefits and good clinical outcome. NVRF Tx is an easy technique without the need for vascular anastomosis. Moreover, a rapid integration and neovascularization occurs with excellent clinical outcome.

Contemporary Abdominal Wall Reconstruction: Emerging Techniques and Trends

Abdominal wall reconstruction is a common and necessary surgery, two factors that drive innovation. This review article examines recent developments in ventral hernia repair including primary fascial closure, mesh selection between biologic, permanent synthetic, and biosynthetic meshes, component separation, and functional abdominal wall reconstruction from a plastic surgery perspective, exploring the full range of hernia repair's own reconstructive ladder. New materials and techniques are examined to explore the ever-increasing options available to surgeons who work within the sphere of ventral hernia repair and provide updates for evolving trends in the field.

Vein Grafts in Free Flap Reconstruction: Review of Indications and Institutional Pearls

SUMMARY

Vein grafts enable soft-tissue reconstruction in cases of insufficient pedicle length, a lack of nearby recipient vessels, and a wide zone of injury caused by trauma or radiation therapy. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of vein grafts in free flap reconstruction focusing on the timing of arteriovenous loops, complications, and surgical technique. Vein graft indications, types of vein grafts, and location-specific considerations are also reviewed. Three reconstructive microsurgeons at high-volume centers were asked to offer institutional pearls on the order of anastomosis, selection of donor veins, and timing of arteriovenous loops. In terms of gap length, vessel gaps less than 10 cm may be reconstructed with an interposition or transposition vein graft. For longer gaps, surgeons should consider the use of arteriovenous loops, transposition arteriovenous loops, or flow-through flaps. Both one and two-stage arteriovenous loops are used, depending on patient comorbidities, potential exposure of critical structures, and surgeon preference. Although one-stage arteriovenous loops expedite the reconstructive process, two-stage arteriovenous loops require shorter operations and help identify patients at risk of flap failure. Although whether the use of vein grafts increases flap failure rates is controversial, complications are highest in lower extremity reconstruction, cases of a prolonged interval between stages in two-stage arteriovenous loops, and unplanned vein grafts.

Abdominal Wall Transplantation: Indications and Outcomes

Purpose of Review

This article aims to review published outcomes associated with full-thickness vascularized abdominal wall transplantation, with particular emphasis on advances in the field in the last 3 years.

Recent Findings

Forty-six full-thickness vascularized abdominal wall transplants have been performed in 44 patients worldwide. Approximately 35% of abdominal wall transplant recipients will experience at least one episode of acute rejection in the first year after transplant, compared with rejection rates of 87.8% and 72.7% for hand and face transplant respectively. Recent evidence suggests that combining a skin containing abdominal wall transplant with an intestinal transplant does not appear to increase sensitization or de novo donor-specific antibody formation.

Summary

Published data suggests that abdominal wall transplantation is an effective safe solution to achieve primary closure of the abdomen after intestinal or multivisceral transplant. However, better data is needed to confirm observations made and to determine long-term outcomes, requiring standardized data collection and reporting and collaboration between the small number of active transplant centres around the world.

Synchronous Abdominal Wall and Small-bowel Transplantation: A 1-year Follow-up

Abdominal wall-vascularized composite allotransplantation (AW-VCA) has evolved as a technically feasible but challenging option in the rare event of abdominal wall reconstruction in patients whose abdomen cannot be closed by applying conventional methods. The authors conducted the first synchronous child-to-adult recipient AW-VCA using an arteriovenous loop technique. This article presents a 1-year follow-up of the patient's postoperative course. Frequent skin biopsies were performed in accordance with Duke Institutional Review Board protocol, with 3 episodes of rejection treated with high-dose steroids and Thymoglobulin (Genzyme Corp, Cambridge, Mass.). The patient developed an opportunistic fungal brain abscess secondary to immunosuppression, which led to temporary upper extremity weakness. Future considerations for AW-VCA include a modified surgical technique involving utilization of donor vein graft for arteriovenous loop formation. In addition, reduction in postoperative biopsy schedule and changes in immunosuppression regimen may lead to improved outcomes and prevent unnecessary high-dose immunosuppression.