Subtotal hepatectomy and whole graft auxiliary transplantation for acetaminophen-associated acute liver failure

Refining Auxiliary Orthotopic Liver Transplantation (AOLT) Improves Outcomes in Adult Patients With Acute Liver Failure

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether and how experience accumulation and technical refinements simultaneously implemented in auxiliary orthotopic liver transplantation (AOLT) may impact on outcomes.

BACKGROUND

AOLT for acute liver failure (ALF) provides the unique chance of complete immunosuppression withdrawal after adequate native liver remnant regeneration but is a technically demanding procedure. Our department is a reference center for ALF and an early adopter of AOLT.

METHODS

This is a single-center retrospective before/after study of a prospectively maintained cohort of 48 patients with ALF who underwent AOLT between 1993 and 2019. In 2012, technical refinements were implemented to improve outcomes: (i) favoring the volume of the graft rather than that of the native liver, (ii) direct anastomosis of graft hepatic artery with recipient right hepatic artery instead of the use of large size vessels, (iii) end-to-side hepaticocholedocostomy instead of bilioenteric anastomosis. Early experience (1993-2011) group (n=26) and recent experience (2012-2019) group (n=22) were compared. Primary endpoint was 90-day severe morbidity rate (Clavien-Dindo≥IIIa) and secondary endpoints were overall patient survival and complete immunosuppression withdrawal rates.

RESULTS

Compared with the earlier experience group, the recent experience group was associated with a lower severe complication rate (27% vs 65%, P <0.001), as well as less biliary (18% vs 54%, P =0.017) and arterial (0% vs 15%, P =0.115) complications. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival was significantly improved (91%, 91%, 91% vs 76%, 61%, 60%, P =0.045). The rate of complete immunosuppression withdrawal increased to 94% vs 70%, ( P =0.091) with no need of long-term graft explant.

CONCLUSION

These technical refinements favoring the liver graft and reducing morbidity may promote AOLT implementation among LT centers.

Indian National Association for the Study of the Liver Consensus Statement on Acute Liver Failure (Part 1): Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Presentation and Prognosis

Acute liver failure (ALF) is an infrequent, unpredictable, potentially fatal complication of acute liver injury (ALI) consequent to varied etiologies. Etiologies of ALF as reported in the literature have regional differences, which affects the clinical presentation and natural course. In this part of the consensus article designed to reflect the clinical practices in India, disease burden, epidemiology, clinical presentation, monitoring, and prognostication have been discussed. In India, viral hepatitis is the most frequent cause of ALF, with drug-induced hepatitis due to antituberculosis drugs being the second most frequent cause. The clinical presentation of ALF is characterized by jaundice, coagulopathy, and encephalopathy. It is important to differentiate ALF from other causes of liver failure, including acute on chronic liver failure, subacute liver failure, as well as certain tropical infections which can mimic this presentation. The disease often has a fulminant clinical course with high short-term mortality. Death is usually attributable to cerebral complications, infections, and resultant multiorgan failure. Timely liver transplantation (LT) can change the outcome, and hence, it is vital to provide intensive care to patients until LT can be arranged. It is equally important to assess prognosis to select patients who are suitable for LT. Several prognostic scores have been proposed, and their comparisons show that indigenously developed dynamic scores have an edge over scores described from the Western world. Management of ALF will be described in part 2 of this document.

EASL Clinical Practical Guidelines on the management of acute (fulminant) liver failure

The term acute liver failure (ALF) is frequently applied as a generic expression to describe patients presenting with or developing an acute episode of liver dysfunction. In the context of hepatological practice, however, ALF refers to a highly specific and rare syndrome, characterised by an acute abnormality of liver blood tests in an individual without underlying chronic liver disease. The disease process is associated with development of a coagulopathy of liver aetiology, and clinically apparent altered level of consciousness due to hepatic encephalopathy. Several important measures are immediately necessary when the patient presents for medical attention. These, as well as additional clinical procedures will be the subject of these clinical practice guidelines.

Current status of auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation for acute liver failure

Auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) is a technique of liver transplantation (LT) where a partial liver graft is implanted in an orthotopic position after leaving behind a part of the native liver. APOLT was previously considered technically challenging with results inferior to orthotopic liver transplantation. Results of this procedure have continued to improve with improving surgical techniques and a better understanding of the natural history of acute liver failure (ALF) and liver regeneration. The procedure is being increasingly accepted as a valid treatment option for ALF-especially in children. This article reviews the historical background to this operation, advances in the technique, and its current place in the management of ALF. Liver Transplantation 22 1265-1274 2016 AASLD.

Simplified technique for auxiliary orthotopic liver transplantation using a whole graft

BACKGROUND

Acute liver failure is associated with a high mortality rate and the main purposes of treatment are to prevent cerebral edema and infections, which often are responsible for patient death. The orthotopic liver transplantation is the gold standard treatment and improves the 1-year survival.

AIM

To describe an alternative technique to auxiliary liver transplant on acute liver failure.

METHOD

Was performed whole auxiliary liver transplantation as an alternative technique for a partial auxiliary liver transplantation using a whole liver graft from a child removing the native right liver performed a right hepatectomy. The patient met the O'Grady's criteria and the rational to indicate an auxiliary orthotopic liver transplantation was the acute classification without hemodynamic instability or renal failure in a patient with deterioration in consciousness.

RESULTS

The procedure improved liver function and decreased intracranial hypertension in the postoperative period.

CONCLUSION

This technique can overcome some postoperative complications that are associated with partial grafts. As far as is known, this is the first case of auxiliary orthotopic liver transplantation in Brazil.

Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity: an updated review

As the most common cause of acute liver failure (ALF) in the USA and UK, acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity remains a significant public health concern and common indication for emergent liver transplantation. This problem is largely attributable to acetaminophen combination products frequently prescribed by physicians and other healthcare professionals, with unintentional and chronic overdose accounting for over 50 % of cases of acetaminophen-related ALF. Treatment with N-acetylcysteine can effectively reduce progression to ALF if given early after an acute overdose; however, liver transplantation is the only routinely used life-saving therapy once ALF has developed. With the rapid course of acetaminophen-related ALF and limited supply of donor livers, early and accurate diagnosis of patients that will require transplantation for survival is crucial. Efforts in developing novel treatments for acetaminophen-induced ALF are directed toward bridging patients to recovery. These include auxiliary, artificial, and bioartificial support systems. This review outlines the most recent developments in diagnosis and management of acetaminophen-induced ALF.