Late graft loss and long-term outcome after isolated intestinal transplantation in children

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine causes of late graft loss and long-term outcome after isolated intestinal transplantation in children at a single center.

METHODS

All children who underwent primary isolated intestinal transplantation at our center with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were the subject of this retrospective study.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight children underwent primary isolated intestinal transplantation. Median graft survival was 705 days (range, 0 to 2,630 days) and median patient survival was 1,006 days (range, 0 to 2,630 days). There were 6 deaths and 15 graft losses (including the 6 nonsurvivors). Seven of the losses occurred 6 or more months after transplant. Of these, 2 losses occurred because of death of the recipients of sepsis; both recipients had functioning grafts. The 5 remaining late graft losses occurred because of acute rejection in 2 patients, chronic rejection in 2 (1 with concomitant acute rejection) and a diffuse stricturing process without the histologic hallmarks of chronic rejection in the fifth. All late survivors with intact grafts are off total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

CONCLUSIONS

Late graft loss remains a concern in a small percentage of patients after isolated intestinal transplantation. Nutritional autonomy from TPN is possible in the majority of these children after transplantation.

An unusual cause of haemorrhagic ascites following blunt abdominal trauma

Slow intraperitoneal haemorrhage following blunt abdominal trauma may present as haemorrhagic ascites. Such haemorrhage is usually due to rupture of spleen, liver or damage to small bowel mesenteric vasculature. We encountered a patient with bleeding from ruptured exogastric leiomyoblastoma. Two cases of traumatic rupture of gastric leiomyosarcomas have been reported previously. The operative treatment is usually delayed and the diagnosis established only at laparotomy. We suggest a high level of suspicion and early laparotomy.

Hepatic venous outflow obstruction

Hepatic venous outflow obstruction also called the Budd-Chiari syndrome is increasingly being recognized as a cause of portal hypertension. In western countries the obstruction is usually in the hepatic veins while in reports from South Africa, Japan and India the predominant cause is a block in the IVC at the level of the diaphragm above the entry of the hepatic veins. A hypercoagulable state caused by myeloproliferative haematological disorders, clonal defects in haemopoietic stem cells, lupus anticoagulant, contraceptive pills and postpartum state are some of the aetiological conditions described. However in 25% to 75% cases no cause can be identified. The predominant presenting features in patients with hepatic vein obstruction are hepatomegaly and ascites while those with IVC obstruction show prominent veins on the trunk and back. Ultrasound examination should be the first investigative step. However a liver biopsy is the gold standard of diagnosis. To confirm the site of obstruction inferior vena cavography or functional hepatography may be required. In the acute phase thrombolytic therapy may be useful but for established cases either surgical intervention in the form of shunts or recently balloon angioplasty may be helpful. For patients with established cirrhosis and end-stage liver failure the only alternative is liver transplantation. All these patients however should be put on long term anticoagulants to prevent rethrombosis. Some series have reported that upto 45% of patients may develop hepatocellular carcinoma on long term followup. With proper management a larger proportion of patients can be returned to a useful productive life.