Portal vein blood flow is very important for the normal function of transplanted liver. The author reviewed the management methods of different portal vein thrombosis classification in the liver transplantation (LT). The prognosis of LT in the patients with Yerdel 1–3 thrombosis is similar to that the patients without thrombosis. The portal vein reconstruction of the patients with Yerdel 4 thrombosis can be realized by varicose vein to portal anastomosis, renoportal anastomosis or cavoportal hemitransposition. When anastomosis is made at the proximal side of a spontaneous shunt between the portal and cava system, the blood shunted from portal system can be reintroduced into the donor liver, which is crucial for the management of Yerdel 4 thrombosis. The establishments of artificial shunt by distal splenic vein, mesenteric vein or “multiple to one” anastomosis are effective attempts to drain the blood from portal system to the donor liver. For more severe diffuse thrombosis of portal vein system, multivisceral transplantation, including liver and small intestine, should be considered. The cases of LT in the patients with complex portal vein thrombosis are increasing, however the prognosis remains to be determined after accumulation of the cases.
Objective To study the interaction and mechanism of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) receptor/thromboxane A2 (TxA2) receptor (IP/TP) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in ischemia reperfusion injury after liver transplantation of rat. Methods Rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group （n=16), orthotropic liver transplantation group （n=32) and nimesulide intervention group （n=32). The samples were obtained at 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after operation. The expressions of COX-2, IP and TP mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression of COX-2. Hematoxylin Eosin staining was used to classify the injury extent of liver. Serum ALT and AST levels were detected to evaluate the changes of liver enzyme. Results COX-2 protein expression detected by immunohistochemistry in orthotropic liver transplantation group mainly distributed in the district of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, liver cells and macrophage cells, which was significantly higher than control group and nimesulide intervention group. Expressions of IP mRNA, TP mRNA and COX-2 mRNA in the orthotropic liver transplantation group were significantly increased than those in control group (P＜0.05), and the ratio of IP/TP increased (P＜0.05). Expressions of IP mRNA and TP mRNA in nimesulide intervention group were significantly lower than that in the orthotropic liver transplantation group at 6 h and 12 h after operation (P＜0.05), and the ratio of IP/TP decreased at 3 h, 6 h and 24 h after operation (P＜0.05). The expression of COX-2 mRNA in nimesulide intervention group was significantly lower than that in the orthotropic liver transplantation group at 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after operation. In orthotropic liver transplantation group liver injury was obvious by HE staining, and more severve than that in nimesulide intervention group. Serum AST (each time) and ALT (3 h, 6 h and 12 h) levels in the orthotropic liver transplantation group were significantly higher than that in control group and nimesulide intervention group (P＜0.05) and peaked at 6 h after operation. Conclusion The balance of IP/TP takes part in and plays an important role in the ischemia reperfusion injury of liver transplantation. Changing imbalance of IP/TP may reduce liver transplantation ischemia reperfusion injury by inhibiting COX-2 expression.
ObjectiveTo provide the reliable model in the rat for the study of liver transplantation.MethodsA surgical experience with one hundred and fifty orthotopic liver transplants in rats was reviewed,meanwhile a simple method with biliary extradrainage as well as bile collection was introduced.Results The operative successful rate was 93.8%（91/97）,the survival rate after one week was 85.9%(55/64),the recipient underwent an anhepatic period of 19 min,the operative time of donor and recipient were 37 min and 56 min,respectively.ConclusionThe result indicates that the model is reliable in the study of liver transplantation.The hard work and meticulous surgical performance are the key to successful operation.
With the widespread adoption of antiretroviral therapy, vast improvements in the life expectancy of individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were seen, and the liver disease of this population has become a leading cause of mortality. Although liver transplantation is as an effective treatment for end-stage liver disease, it remains in its nascent stage for the patients with HIV/AIDS in China, lacking standardized protocols and substantial clinical experience. Therefore, a “Multicenter expert consensus on perioperative management of liver transplantation in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection” was formulated. This expert consensus aims to standardize and optimize the diagnosis and treatment process for liver transplantation in HIV-infected patients, providing systematic guidance for this procedure in China and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and development in the field. This expert consensus clearly delineates the indications and contraindications for liver transplantation in HIV-infected patients, emphasizing comprehensive preoperative evaluations of both donors and recipients. These evaluations include infection control measures, immune function monitoring, and management of comorbidities. In terms of surgical procedures, strategies to prevent occupational exposure and intraoperative guidelines are outlined. Postoperatively, the focus is on antiviral therapy, individualized immunosuppression management, and vigilant monitoring of complications to ensure patient recovery and long-term survival. The long-term follow-up management prioritizes regular assessments of liver function, immune status, and HIV-related indicators to adjust treatment plans and enhance patient survival rates and quality of life. With the continuous enrichment of clinical experience and the progress of clinical research, this consensus will be continuously updated.
ObjectiveTo summarize the key operative points and efficacy of ex-vivo ex-vivo liver resection and autologous liver transplantation (ELRA) using various vascular materials for hepatic vein reconstruction in the treatment of end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE). MethodThe clinicopathologic data of a patient with end-stage HAE who underwent ELRA combined with complex hepatic vein reconstruction were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsThe patient was a 60-year-old male who was admitted to the Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital due to giant alveolar hydatid in the liver, with a body weight of 60 kg and a standard liver volume of 1 024.5 mL. The imaging showed that the hydatid invaded the first and second hepatic portals, middle hepatic vein, left hepatic vein, and retrohepatic inferior vena cava. The three-dimensional reconstruction of CT showed that the residual liver volume was 1 270.6 mL. The patient received supportive treatment after admission and underwent ELRA following strict evaluation. Intraoperatively, it was found that the multiple hepatic veins and retrohepatic inferior vena cava were widely invaded. The liver was split in vivo and the mass was excised ex vivo by “in vivo first” principle. The hepatic vein was repaired and reconstructed into a wide mouth outflow tract using allogeneic veins, autologous inferior mesenteric vein, and hepatic round ligaments, then performed the autotransplantation by wide mouth outflow-artificial inferior vena cava anastomosis (end to side). The operative time was 16 h, and the intraoperative blood loss was approximately 2 000 mL. FK506 was orally administered after operation, and low-molecular-weight heparin sodium was administered 24 h later for anticoagulation. The patient was returned to the general ward on the 6th day after the operation, and the enhanced CT scan showed that the hepatic outflow tract was unobstructed, without stenosis and thrombosis, and the patient was discharged on day 18 after the operation. The patient was pathologically diagnosed with alveolar echinococcosis. ConclusionsFrom the results of this case, combination of multiple vascular materials to reconstruct the hepatic outflow tract is an optional procedure for ELRA in treatment of end-stage HAE. Strict preoperative evaluation, skillful vascular anastomosis technique, and postoperative anticoagulation are important measures to maintain patency of postoperative reconstruction vessel.
ObjectiveTo summarize experience of clinical diagnosis and treatment for liver posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder(PTLD). Method The clinical diagnosis and treatment processes of 3 patients with live PTLD in this hospital were retrospectively analyzed and the relevant literatures were reviewed. ResultsThe EB virus was negative and CD20 was positive for these 3 patients with liver PTLD, the time of onset was 10 to 12 years after liver transplantation, and the tacrolimus was given for anti-immune following liver transplantation. The pathological diagnosis was diffuse large B cell lymphoma for all the patients. ConclusionsWith use of large quantities of immunosuppressive drugs following liver transplantation, incidence of liver PTLD gradually rises. Meanwhile, prognosis is poor and early diagnosis is difficult. Currently, diagnosis and classification is still dependent on pathological examination. EB virus positive patients show earlier onset, while EB negative patients show later onset with a poorer prognosis. Therefore, a long-term follow-up should be conducted for early detection, and rituximab should be administrated to patients with CD20(+).
ObjectiveTo explore the value of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the radical cure for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MethodThe recent literatures about RFA in the treatment for HCC were retrieved and reviewed. ResultsThe liver transplantation, liver resection, and RFA were the three effective treatments in curative intent for early HCC.RFA was more frequently used in downsize therapy prior to liver transplantation in recent years because of its excellent local tumor control.Preoperative RFA extended the average waiting time without increasing the risk of dropout.Even though the controversy about effectiveness of RFA and hepatectomy was not been settled, the liver resection com-bined with RFA extended the operation indication of HCC and improved the effectiveness. ConclusionsRFA plays more and more important roles among the various treatment strategies in HCC.RFA, liver transplantation, and hepatectomy could be complementary to each other in the treatment for HCC and benefit numerous patients.Among these strategies, the key to improve the effectiveness is that minimum reduces residual tumors and suppresses their growth.
Living donor liver transplantation is one of the main solutions to the organ supply-demand discrepancy at present. However, there was a risk of the recipient developing small-for-size syndrome due to insufficient graft volume, while an excessively large graft volume for donation might lead to postoperative liver failure for the donor. In this context, the dual-graft liver transplantation had emerged, which could minimize the volume of liver resection from the each donor to ensure the donor’s safety and provide the adequate volume of liver for the recipient. Yet, this procedure is less commonly performed in our country. In order to promote the steady implementation of dual-graft liver transplantation in China and serve as an important supplement to the donor pool, the West China Hospital of Sichuan University organized relevant experts and draw on the mature experiences of advanced countries in the field of transplantation jointly formulated the “Expert consensus on dual-graft liver transplantation”. The consensus had been developed around aspects such as donor evaluation and selection, surgical methods, and postoperative complications.