Portal Vein Thrombosis post liver transplant is a dreaded complication as it carries a high morbidity and mortality. In infants this is more so as they have a small calibre portal vein and portal flow itself is low. Thrombectomy is an option but in infants rethrombosis rate is high with consequent graft loss. Cavoportal hemitransposition is a novel though rarely tried option and we share our experience with this procedure in an infant.
Abstract Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is commonly associated with increased postoperative morbidity in liver transplant (LT) recipients. The aim of this study was to identify the role of renal resistive index (RRI) in predicting AKI and to study the factors associated with AKI in LT recipients. Patients and methods We performed a single‐center, prospective study, including adult living donor LT recipients at our center between January 2018 and September 2019 with no preoperative renal dysfunction. RRI was calculated on ultrasound doppler once preoperatively, and once daily in the postoperative period through postoperative day (POD) six. Patients were grouped into AKI and non‐AKI groups for comparison. Results Fifty patients were included in the study (mean age, 44 years; 20% females). AKI developed in 25 patients (50%). Both groups were similar in baseline characteristics. RRI of ≥ 0.69 on POD 2 predicted AKI (sensitivity 88%; specificity 92%). RRI on the day before AKI diagnosis (0.71 vs. 0.65) and on the day of diagnosis (0.72 vs. 0.65) were significantly increased relative to preoperative baseline. Conclusions Doppler‐derived RRI is a rapid, non‐invasive, and bedside procedure capable of predicting the occurrence of postoperative AKI in LT recipients.
Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in obese patients raises concerns with regards to obtaining grafts of "adequate" graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) and the impact of obesity on the outcomes of LDLT. LDLT outcomes in patients weighing ≥100 kg were compared with those weighing <100 kg. Patients weighing ≥100 kg were divided into 3 categories based on the GRWR of the grafts they received. Groups 1, 2, and 3 included patients with GRWR ≥0.8%, between 0.65% and 0.8%, and <0.65%, respectively. The 56 (6.5%) adult liver transplants were performed in patients weighing 100 kg or more. Except for higher mean body mass index (35.8 versus 25.2 kg/m2 ; P value < 0.01) and grafts of lower GRWR in obese patients (0.74% versus 1.02%; P value < 0.01), all other parameters were similar between the 2 groups. Despite obesity and smaller grafts, the posttransplant outcomes such as day to normal bilirubin and international normalized ratio; infective, respiratory, and biliary complications; and hospital mortality were similar between the 2 groups. On comparing obese patients in the 3 GRWR categories, except for graft weight (985 versus 769 versus 646 g; P value < 0.01), all the pretransplant parameters were comparable. There was no significant difference in terms of graft function, postoperative morbidity, and hospital mortality between patients with grafts of normal GRWR and those with grafts of low and very low GRWR. Grafts of low GRWR give satisfactory results in obese patients undergoing LDLT and obesity does not adversely impact the outcome of LDLT. Liver Transplantation 23:35-42 2017 AASLD.
Aspirin used in the post-operative period as prophylaxis for hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) increases the risk of neurological complications (NC) in adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients was the hypothesis. Case control study was done on 1400 cases operated in our institute. Pediatric transplants, combined liver kidney, cadaver transplants, dual lobe transplants, preexisting organic neurological dysfunction and patients whose records were missing were excluded from the study. There were effectively 880 cases in non-aspirin group (NAG) and 440 cases in aspirin group (AG). The groups were matched for various factors. There were more alcoholics in AG and more ALFs in NAG. On subgroup analysis these two etiological factors were found to be statistically insignificant P > 0.05. So the prophylactic protocol was aspirin 75 mg once daily in all adults (age >12 years) once the platelet counts have reached 50,000 and there is no evidence of bleeding elsewhere. In pediatric population our protocol is use of aspirin 75 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg once daily once the platelet counts have reached 50,000 and there is no evidence of bleeding anywhere else.
Unavailability of deceased donors in the east has led to a rise in the popularity of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Preventing postoperative complications is a major concern in LDLT's. There are reports of fatal pulmonary embolism which has happened in Living Donors. Moreover, a study examining thromboelastogram (TEG) patterns in 10 liver donors in 2004 showed a significant development of hypercoagulability in 6 patients. We attempted to analyze the coagulation status of living donors through thromboelastography.
IPVS is considered a last resort or a salvage procedure in the event of recurrent PV thrombosis despite multiple attempts at redo PV anastomosis. We employed the opened umbilical vein approach to place the stent in the PV and deliver anticoagulation through a catheter.From Jan 2017 to Feb 2022, 150 patients underwent pediatric transplantation at department of liver transplant and hepatobiliary surgery unit, Indraprastha Apollo hospitals, New Delhi. Age, weight, PELD Score, diagnosis, portal vein diameter on preoperative CT, Portal flow after stenting, decrease in spleen size after stenting in follow-up CT were collected from a prospectively maintained data base and reviewed.Eight patients underwent IPVS following LDLT (mean age-10.6 ± 2.2 months, mean weight 8.1 ± 1.6, mean PELD score 32.7 ± 7.3). The mean PV diameter on preoperative CT scan was 3.6 mm (range 2.7-5.6 mm). The mean portal flow following stenting was 718.75 cc/min. Percentage reduction in size of the spleen was 26.35% beyond 2nd post-operative week. No patient had recurrent PV thrombosis following IPVS and all maintained an adequate portal flow throughout the immediate postoperative period. Two patients had in-hospital mortality secondary to septic complications.Umbilical vein approach is technically feasible, easy to manipulate the stent and catheter placement after stenting helps to deliver anticoagulants locally.
Abstract OBJECTIVES To analyse the donor characteristics and understand the sociocultural and familial aspects of the decision to donate for living donor liver transplant. METHODS This is a retrospective study done in the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology of a liver transplant centre. We enrolled the consenting donors of pediatric liver transplantation between January 2020 and January 2022. The study was conducted through an anonymized questionnaire which was drafted in a multiple‐choice format. The questionnaire had three domains having questions pertaining to demographic details, donor characteristics and sociofamilial aspects of the decision‐making process. RESULTS The study cohort consisted of 50 donors, 23 males (46%) and 27 females (54%), with the mean age being 31.8 ± 5.6 years. Parent‐to‐child was the most frequent relationship ( n = 39, 78%). More than half of our donors had annual income <2.5 lakh/annum or <3500 USD ( n = 27, 54%). Twenty‐six (52%) responders had >4 members in their family; 62% were residing in urban areas and 52% of the donors were graduates. The main source of information regarding the feasibility of living donor liver transplantation was primary physicians in 46%. Financial management was the main hurdle in 72%. Majority (74%) denied any effect on their marital relationship and 6% of donors thought that the degree of information provided to them before the transplantation regarding donation was insufficient. CONCLUSION Our study serves as an essential tool for health professionals to provide sufficient support to the donor. Clinical outcomes and cost must be part of the discussion between caregivers, health professionals and fund contributors.