Living-donor hepatectomy

BACKGROUND

Organ transplantation from deceased donors is still far below the need. Because of this deficiency, liver transplantations are performed mostly from live donors in many transplant centers in our country. Living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has evolved dramatically over the past decade. The aim of this study was to present our clinical experience with living-donor hepatectomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent donor hepatectomy between March 2000 and September 2010. We reviewed demographic data, operation type, operation and cold ischemia times, duration of hospital stay, and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

During the study period, 140 living donors underwent operations for liver transplantation. We performed 108 right hepatectomies, 17 left hepatectomies, and 15 left lateral hepatectomies. The mean age of the donors was 30.8 years. There was no operative or postoperative mortality. Overall morbidity rate was 13.57% (n = 19). Nine patients had biliary leakages, 4 biliomas; 2 urinary tract infections, and 1 each inferior vena caval injury, pneumonia, portal vein thrombosis, and acute tubular necrosis. Reoperation was not required in any of these patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Living-donor liver transplantation is a valuable alternative for patients awaiting a cadaver organ. Live-donor hepatectomy can be performed with low morbidity. The greatest disadvantage of this procedure is the risk of the surgical operation for the individual who will experience no medical benefit from this procedure.

Direct trocar insertion versus Veress needle insertion in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Direct insertion of the trocar is an alternative method to Veress needle insertion for the creation of pneumoperitoneum. The safety of direct disposable shielded trocar insertion for the creation of pneumoperitoneum was assessed by comparing with Veress needle insertion during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

METHODS

One thousand five hundred patients undergoing LC with pneumoperitoneum were included in this study. In 470 patients the Veress needle insertion technique was used, and in 1,030 patients direct trocar insertion technique was used. Patients having indications for open trocar insertion were excluded from the study.

RESULTS

Complication rate was significantly higher in the Veress needle group (14% versus 0.9%; P <0.01), and the two major complications, gastric perforation and iliac artery laceration, were also encountered in this group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that with a lower complication rate, direct insertion of the disposable trocar is a safe alternative to Veress needle insertion technique for the creation of pneumoperitoneum. Such an approach has further advantages such as less cost/instrumentation and rapid creation of pneumoperitoneum.

Treatment of external biliary, pancreatic and intestinal fistulas with a somatostatin analog

Somatostatin and its long-acting analog octreotide (SMS 201-995) inhibit several gastrointestinal functions. Their effects have been studied in the treatment of small numbers of external pancreatic, intestinal and biliary fistulas. We treated 8 biliary, 4 pancreatic and 5 intestinal cutaneous fistulas with octreotide. Mean decreases in fistula output before octreotide treatment were not significant (p > 0.01 for each group). On the 1st day of octreotide treatment, mean fistula output decreased from 412 +/- 60.4 to 234 +/- 57.7 ml in the biliary, from 457.5 +/- 57.5 to 217.5 +/- 11.8 ml in the pancreatic and from 564 +/- 49.2 to 217.5 +/- 11.8 ml in the enterocutaneous fistula groups (p < 0.01 for each). No serious side effects were recorded. We conclude that octreotide is an important adjunct in the conservative treatment of external biliary, pancreatic and intestinal fistulas, by decreasing their output.

Use of polyglycolic acid mesh with a new double pursestring technique in renal trauma: an experimental study

Repair of major kidney lacerations with conventional techniques is extremely difficult and 'through and through' suturing is associated with further loss of viable tissue because it promotes scarring. In this study, we investigate the haemostatic and viable parenchyma salvaging effect of an alternative, new wrapping technique in an experimental renal trauma model. This resulted in immediate haemostasis in all 25 animals, while the same injury caused excessive haemorrhage with 50 per cent mortality in eight untreated controls. This technique differs from other wrapping methods because no additional suturing for the application of PAM or haemostasis is required. It is an easy, rapid procedure which decreases the operating time and may allow successful repair in major lacerations of the kidney.

Use of autologous fibrin glue in the treatment of splenic trauma: an experimental study

There is little doubt that preserving the spleen will contribute to a much more favourable outcome in patients undergoing splenic surgery, as a result of avoiding the well known risks of splenectomy. Among many operative methods described for splenic salvage, application of autologous fibrin glue (AFG) is particularly promising because of its unique characteristics. The use of AFG has been evaluated and its efficacy and tissue compatibility assessed in the treatment of splenic trauma in 15 partially splenectomized New Zealand White rabbits. The application of the AFG to the resected splenic surface achieved complete haemostasis in all animals. The animals were divided into four groups and were killed at varying intervals ranging from 24 h to 10 weeks. During re-exploration there was no evidence of recurrent bleeding and histopathological examination revealed progressive absorption of the AFG with a minimal inflammatory response. It is concluded that AFG is an effective haemostatic agent with good systemic and local compatibility and can be used in splenic salvage, which thereby avoids the use of non-autologous products with their risks of disease transmission.

Malpositioning of subclavian vein catheters in left and right sided attempts: a prospective study

The purpose of the study performed between 1987 and 1989 was to prospectively collect and analyse the mechanical complications, especially malpositioning in right-sided and left-sided attempts of catheterization of the infraclavicular subclavian vein. The subclavian vein was catheterized in 100 right-sided and 100 left-sided attempts. Catheterisation failed in 24 cases. The success rate on the right side was 84.7 per cent and on the left side 94.3 per cent. The rate of malpositioning in right-sided attempts (23%) was significantly higher than in left-sided attempts (4%) [p less than 0.001]. Minor and major mechanical complications, other than malpositioning, were also more frequent in right attempts (14.4%) than in left-sided attempts (5.6%) [p less than 0.05]. Malpositioning of central venous catheters may lead to serious complications including intravascular knotting, rupture of the heart and great vessels, incorrect central venous pressure readings and thrombosis due to delivery of hyperosmolar solutions. Based on our results a left-sided approach should be preferred in infraclavicular subclavian vein catheterization unless specific contra-indications exist.

Mechanical complications of subclavian vein catheterization. A prospective study

Subclavian vein catheterization, a timesaving, convenient and easy method of central venous access is not free of complications. In this report 150 consecutive infraclavicular subclavian vein catheterization attempts were evaluated with regard to noninfectious complications. 95.3% of the patients were successfully catheterized. While the overall complication rate was 29.3%, major complications occurred in 2.6%. The complication rate in right-sided attempts (35.5%) was significantly higher than in left-sided attempts (12.5%) (p less than 0.01). All of the major complications occurred in right-sided attempts. Left sided attempts seem to be safer unless specific contraindications exist. Malpositionings were the most common complications (16%) and were easily identified and managed by routine postprocedure chest X-rays. The mortality rate was 0%. As a result we think that this procedure will still remain as a valuable central venous catheterization method in experienced hands with proper indications and prompt treatment in the case of complications.