Venous outflow congestion is related to poor recurrence-free survival of living donor liver transplantation recipients with hepatocellular carcinoma - a retrospective study

Current role and perspectives of living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: systematic review of the past 20 years

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a significant global health challenge, and liver transplantation (LT) remains the best curative option. Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) emerged as a potential solution to organ scarcity, reducing waitlist times. This comprehensive review explores LDLT practices, focusing on patient selection criteria and oncologic outcomes. A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines included 50 studies (2004-2023) with 8062 patients. Data encompassed baseline characteristics, HCC features, and oncologic outcomes. Further analysis categorized results by geography and publication year. Heterogeneity in patient demographics, tumor burden, and transplant characteristics was observed. Recent LDLT series demonstrated a shift towards refined selection criteria, increased neoadjuvant treatment, and improved oncologic outcomes. Geographic disparities revealed unique challenges in Eastern and Western practices. LDLT proves effective for HCC, addressing donor shortages. Evolving practices highlight the importance of refining inclusion criteria and optimizing tumor management. While geographic differences exist, LDLT, when judiciously applied, offers promising outcomes.

Hepatic venous territory mapping in living donor liver transplantation using right liver graft: an objective parameter for venous reconstruction

Purpose

This study evaluated the clinical implication of hepatic venous territory mapping in living donor liver transplantation.

Methods

Living donor liver transplantations performed using right graft since 2017 were included. Hepatic venous volume mapping was started in 2019. Risk factors for graft failure and overall survival were analyzed. Analysis for factors related to occlusion of reconstructed vein was performed.

Results

Among 445 patients included, 213 underwent hepatic venous mapping. Hepatic venous mapping itself was not a significant factor for graft (hazard ratio [HR], 0.958; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.441-2.082; P = 0.913) and overall survival (HR, 0.627; 95% CI, 0.315-1.247; P = 0.183). Inferior hepatic vein occlusion was a significant risk factor for both graft survival (HR, 8.795; 95% CI, 1.628-47.523; P = 0.012) and overall survival (HR, 11.13; 95% CI, 2.460-50.300; P = 0.002). In a subgroup with middle hepatic vein reconstruction, occlusion was a significant risk factor for overall survival (HR, 3.289; 95% CI, 1.304-8.296; P = 0.012). In patients with middle hepatic vein reconstruction whose venous territory volumes were measured, right anterior volume of ≥300 cm³ was protective for vein occlusion (OR, 0.317; 95% CI, 0.152-0.662; P = 0.002). In patients with V5 reconstruction, V5 volume of ≥150 cm³ was protective for vein occlusion (OR, 0.253; 95% CI, 0.087-0.734; P = 0.011).

Conclusion

Inferior and middle hepatic vein reconstruction has significant impact on clinical outcome. Hepatic venous territory mapping can provide an objective measure for successful reconstruction of venous branches.

Complete transition from open surgery to laparoscopy: 8-year experience with more than 500 laparoscopic living donor hepatectomies

This study was designed to review laparoscopic living donor liver transplantations (LDLTs) at a single center that achieved complete transition from open surgery to laparoscopy. LDLTs performed from January 2013 to July 2021 were reviewed. Comparisons between open and laparoscopic surgeries were performed according to periods divided into initial, transition, and complete transition periods. A total of 775 LDLTs, 506 laparoscopic and 269 open cases, were performed. Complete transition was achieved in 2020. Bile duct variations were significantly abundant in the open group both in the initial period (30.2% vs. 8.1%; p < 0.001) and transition period (48.1% vs. 24.3%; p < 0.001). Portal vein variation was more abundant in the open group only in the initial period (13.0% vs. 4.1%; p = 0.03). Although the donor reoperation rate (0.0% vs. 4.1%; p = 0.02) and Grade III or higher complication rate (5.6% vs. 13.5%; p = 0.03) were significantly higher in the laparoscopy group in the initial period, there were no differences during the transition period as well as in overall cases. Median number of opioids required by the donor (three times [interquartile range, IQR, 1-6] vs. 1 time [IQR, 0-3]; p < 0.001) was lower, and the median hospital stay (10 days [IQR, 8-12] vs. 8 days [IQR, 7-9]; p < 0.001) was shorter in the laparoscopy group. Overall recipient bile leakage rate (23.8% vs. 12.8%; p < 0.001) and overall Grade III or higher complication rate (44.6% vs. 37.2%; p = 0.009) were significantly lower in the laparoscopy group. Complete transition to laparoscopic living donor hepatectomy was possible after accumulating a significant amount of experience. Because donor morbidity can be higher in the initial period, donor selection for favorable anatomy is required for both the donor and recipient.

Tumour site is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy: a 1:2 propensity score matching analysis

Background

The effect of the anatomic location of HCC on the prognosis of patients after hepatectomy is currently unclear.

Methods

Patients who underwent hepatectomy were retrospectively enrolled and divided into the right tumour resection group (R group) and the left tumour resection group (L group) according to the tumour anatomic location. To avoid bias, 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used. Based on the survival data, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated by the Kaplan–Meier method, and long-term survival analysis was performed. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to analyse the risk factors associated with postoperative prognosis.

Results

A total of 700 patients were enrolled in our study. After 1:2 PSM, 354 and 177 patients were enrolled in the R group and the L group, respectively, with comparable baseline characteristics. Survival analysis showed that patients in the L group had a significantly higher recurrence rate than patients in the R group (P = 0.036), but there was no significant difference in the survival rate (P = 0.99). Long-term survival analysis showed that the survival rate of the L group was lower than that of the R group (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that tumour location in the left liver was an independent risk factor for tumour recurrence (hazard ratio, 1.263; 95% CI, 1.005–1.587) and long-term survival (hazard ratio, 3.232; 95% CI, 1.284–8.134).

Conclusion

For HCC patients, the recurrence rate and long-term survival rate of left liver tumours were significantly higher than those of right liver tumours, indicating that the anatomical location of the tumour has a significant effect on the survival of HCC patients.

Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100052407. Registered 25 October 2021, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=135500.