Machine Perfusion in Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Liver transplantation (LTx) is the only treatment option for patients with end-stage liver disease. Novel organ preservation techniques such as hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) or normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) are under investigation in order to improve organ quality from extended criteria donors and donors after circulatory death. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature reporting LTx outcomes using NMP or HMP compared to static cold storage (SCS). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The following data were retrieved: graft primary nonfunction rate, early allograft dysfunction (EAD) rate, biliary complication rate, and 12-month graft and patient survival. A total of 15 studies were included (6 NMP and 9 HMP studies), and meta-analysis was performed only for HMP studies because NMP had considerable differences. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The systematic review showed the potential of NMP to reduce graft injury and lower the liver graft discard rate. The performed quantitative analyses showed that the use of HMP reduces the rate of EAD (odds ratio [OR] 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34–0.76; <i>p</i> = 0.001; <i>I</i>² = 0%) and non-anastomotic biliary strictures (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.17–0.67; <i>p</i> = 0.002; <i>I</i>² = 0%) compared to SCS. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that the use of HMP reduces the rate of EAD and non-anastomotic biliary strictures compared to SCS.

The incidence and risk factors of chronic rejection in acutely rejected pediatric liver transplantation

Background. Chronic graft rejection (CR) represents an increasing concern in pediatric liver transplantation (LT). Risk factors of CR in this population are uncertain. In present study, we aimed to ascertain if clinical parameters could predict the occurrence of CR in LT children.Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the results from 47 children who had experienced acute hepatic rejection in Namazee hospital, Shiraz, Iran during 2007–2017.Results. Out of 47 children, 22 (46.8%) and 25 (53.2%) were boys and girls respectively. Ascites, gastrointestinal bleeding, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis were observed in 20 (44.4%), 14 (31.1%), and 4 (9.1%) respectively. Posttransplant vascular and biliary complications were observed in 3 (7%) and 4 (9.3%) cases respectively. The mean time from LT to normalization of liver enzymes was 14.2 ± 7.5 days. The mean of acute rejection episodes was 1.4 ± 0.6 (median = 1 (22, 46.8%), range of 1–3). Six (12.7%) patients experienced CR. The mean time from LT to CR was 75 ± 28.4 days. A significant association was found between CR and patients’ condition (being inpatient or outpatient) before surgery (P = 0.03). No significant relationship was found between CR and post-transplant parameters except for biliary complications (P = 0.01). Both biliary complication (RR = 33.7, 95% CI: 2.2–511, P = 0.01) and inpatient status (RR = 10.9, 95% CI: 1.1–102.5, P = 0.03) significantly increased the risk of CR.Conclusion. Being hospitalized at the time of LT, and development of biliary complications might predict risk factors for development of CR in LT children.

EP.TH.316Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in KGH in 2019 - Comparing the Incidence of Complications and Patient Demographics to National Data

Aims Bile Duct injury is one of the serious complications of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and should be avoided. Several recent large studies that have examined Bile Duct Injuries (BDI) during cholecystectomy have found major BDI rates of 0.15-0.36% and an overall biliary complication rate of 1.5% if bile leaks are included. We wished to identify our current complication rate and compare to national data. Methods Retrospective study Data time frame from: 01/01/2019 to 31/10/2019 Type of patients: All patients who underwent elective or emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy between the above dates Results 312 patients identified and analyzed over the study period. 227 female (72.76%) and 85 male (27.24%) 268 Elective operations (85.9%). 44 Emergency operations (14.10%) Primary outcome Secondary outcomes Conclusions KGH performed 312 cholecystectomy operations between Jan - Oct 2019, putting it in the upper 1/3 of hospitals regarding the number of operations performed per year. (1) The complication rate for the study period was 0.32%. This was one out of the 312 operations. Our incidence of complications is lower than published data reporting complication rates, including bile leaks, of up to 1.5%. There were no bile duct injuries during the study period. The majority (&gt;85%) of cases were performed as elective operations.

Association between intraoperative fluid balance, vasopressors and graft complications in liver transplantation: A cohort study

Introduction Biliary complications following liver transplantation are common. The effect of intraoperative fluid balance and vasopressors on these complications is unknown. Materials and methods We conducted a cohort study between July 2008 and December 2017. Our exposure variables were the total intraoperative fluid balance and the use of vasopressors on ICU admission. Our primary outcome was any biliary complication (anastomotic and non-anastomotic strictures) up to one year after transplantation. Our secondary outcomes were vascular complications, primary graft non-function and survival. Results We included 562 consecutive liver transplantations. 192 (34%) transplants had a biliary complication, 167 (30%) had an anastomotic stricture and 56 had a non-anastomotic stricture (10%). We did not observe any effect of intraoperative fluid balance or vasopressor on biliary complications (HR = 0.97; 95% CI, 0.93 to 1.02). A higher intraoperative fluid balance was associated with an increased risk of primary graft non-function (non-linear) and a lower survival (HR = 1.40, 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.71) in multivariable analyses. Conclusion Intraoperative fluid balance and vasopressors upon ICU admission were not associated with biliary complications after liver transplantation but may be associated with other adverse events. Intraoperative hemodynamic management must be prospectively studied to further assess their impact on liver recipients’ outcomes.