ObjectiveTo study the development of methods assessing donor liver viability in liver transplantation.MethodsThe literature in the recent years on the methods of assessing donor liver viability was reviewed.ResultsFrom donor liver morphology to function,there have being developed many methods which assess donor liver viability,including:①donor liver appearance; ②intraoperative biopsies; ③donor liver microcirculation; ④portal pressure; ⑤enzymes levels in liver; ⑥lidocainemetabolizing activity; ⑦energy metabolism of donor liver; ⑧fat content in donor liver.ConclusionThere are many methods to assess the viability of donor liver. Each has its supericrity and defect respectively. Intraoperative biopsies, 31Pmagnetic resonance spectroscopy and portal pressure have more importance in clinical application.
【Abstract】 Objective To study the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IP) on the activity of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） and the expressions of TNF-α and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) during early reperfusion following liver transplantation in rats. Methods The models of rat orthotopic liver transplantation were established. The donor livers were stored for 2 hours in Ringers solution at 4 ℃ before transplantation. All rats were randomly divided into sham operation group （SO group）， control group and IP group. IP group was achieved by clamping the portal vein and hepatic artery of donor liver for 10 minutes followed by reperfusion for 10 minutes before harvesting. The activity of NF-κB and expressions of TNF-α and ICAM-1 at 1 h, 2 h, 4 h and 6 h after reperfusion were measured. Serum ALT, LDH were also determined. Results The liver function of recipients with IP were significantly improved. Compared with SO group， the graft NF-κB activity increased after transplantation in control group and IP group (P＜0.05), while compared with control group that was significantly attenuated at 1 h and 2 h in IP group. Similarly, hepatic levels of TNF-α and ICAM-1 were significantly elevated in control group and were reduced in IP group. Conclusion IP might down-regulated TNF-α and ICAM-1 expression in the grafts after orthotopic liver transplantation through depressed NF-κB activation， and attenuate neutrophil infiltration in the grafts after reperfusion.
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.
ObjectiveTo summarize recent researches on mechanism of the hepatic ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and its clinical applications on hepatectomy and liver transplantation. MethodsRelevant references about basic and clinical researches of hepatic IPC were collected and reviewed. ResultsRecent experimental researches indicated that IPC could relieve hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury (IRI) by remaining and improving energy metabolism of liver, regulating microcirculation disorder, decreasing the production of lipid peroxidation and oxyradical. It could also inhibit the activation of inflammatory cells and the release of cytokine, suppress cell apoptosis and induce the release of endogenous protective substance. Till now, most of the clinical researches had confirmed the protective function of hepatic IPC, but there were still some references with opposite opinions. ConclusionHepatic IPC could relieve liver IRI, but its clinical application value on hepatectomy and liver transplantation still need more researches to prove.
Objective Ｔo summarize the advancement of ABO-incompatible liver transplantation. Methods Relevant literatures about ABO-incompatible liver transplantation, which were published recently domestic and abroad were reviewed and analyzed. Results Owing to various treatments recent years, outcomes of ABO-incompatible liver transplantation have been improved dramatically. Conclusion With effective immnosuppressive protocols and effective perioperative management, ABO-incompatible liver transplantation is feasible.
Objective To establish a reliable rats model of orthotopic liver transplantation with non-heart beating donors. Methods The model was established with modified double-cuff method. According to obtain pre-liver warm ischemia time experiencing non-heart-beat the rats were divided into 3 groups: 10 min (R10 group), 20 min (R20 group) and 30 min (R30 group), then one week survival after operation was compared in rats. Results The operative time of donor was 30 min approximately except warm ischemia time and the cold preservation time of donor liver was 1 h. The anastomotic time for suprahepatic vena cava was 12-22 min (mean 15 min). The anastomotic time for portal vein and infrahepatic vena cava was about 2 min and 1 min, respectively. The anhepatic phase sustained 14-24 min (mean 19 min). The operative time of receptor was 50-65 min (mean 60 min). Twelve rats died at 24 h after operation, which was considered as operative failure. The success rates of operation in R10 group, R20 group, and R30 group were 95% (19/20), 80% (16/20), and 65% (13/20), respectively. After one week the survival rate was 95% (18/19), 81% (13/16), and 54% (7/13), respectively. Conclusions Improved non-heart donor liver transplantation model of rat on the basis of Kamada’s “twocuff technique” acts as a good simulation in clinical non-heart-donor liver transplantation. This study showes that rat liver can tolerate warm ischemia time less than 30 min, the short-term survival after transplantation can reach satisfactory results. However, long-term survival requires further study.
Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment for patients with portal vein thrombosis or tumor embolus in perioperative period of liver transplantation. Methods Eight patients at terminal stage of liver diseases and with portal vein thrombosis or tumor embolus underwent liver transplantation in this hospitatal from October 1999 to January 2006. Their clinical information and survival situation were retrospectively analyzed. Results It was diagnosed correctly before operations that portal vein thrombosis or tumor embolus occurred in 8 patients of 61 patients (13.1%) who underwent liver transplantation (grade Ⅰ: 3 cases; grade Ⅱ: 5 cases). The thrombosis in the portal vein of 6 cases were dislodged and the portal vein with tumor embolus were removed in 2 patients who underwent end-to-end anastomosis. All patients received anticogulation therapy after operations. The post-operative 6-month survival rate was 62.5%. Conclusion Accurate diagnosis before operation, correct method of surgery and reasonable management after operation may have significant effects on the patients with portal vein thrombosis or tumor embolus.
Objective To investigate the risk factors, prevention and therapy of hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation. Methods The literatures on the risk factors, prevention and therapy of hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation in recent years were collected and reviewed. Results The risk factors include factor Ⅴ Leiden, metabolic liver diseases of recipients, recipient sex, the use of Roux-en-Y biliary reconstructions, virus infection and so on. The measures of prevention and therapy include early diagnosis, detection of activated protein C resistance, postoperative anti-coagulation therapy, liver arteries reconstructions measures, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, continuous transcatheter arterial thrombolysis, liver retransplantation and so on. Conclusion The study of risk factors, prevention and therapy will promote the process of improving the prognosis of patients with liver transplantation.
Objective To reconstruct the blood supply of hepatic artery of therecipient rat by a modified arterial “sleeve” anastomoses. Methods SD-SD and SD-Wistar rats liver transplantation were performed in 30 and 50 cases, respectively. The donor splenic artery, left gastric artery, right gastric artery and gastroduodenal artery were ligated, meanwhile the proper hepatic arteries were reserved. The celiac trunk of donors and the stump of right kidney artery of recipient were anastomosed by using 8-0 suture with “sleeve” technique. Results Themean time of artery anastomoses was 4.00±1.31 min.The rate of success was 96.3％. The longest survival time in the model SD-SD(29 survived) was more than 2months. In SD-Wistar(48 survived), acute rejectiion was observed 3-5 days after operation andthe mean survival time of rat was 9 d. Conclusion The modifiedarterial “sleeve” anastomoses is an effective method to reconstruct blood supply of hepatic artery of rat recipient in rat liver transplantation.
Objective To summarize the clinical experience of liver retransplantation. Methods Six liver retransplantations were performed. The indications consisted of primary non-function (PNF, 2 cases), acute or chronic rejection (2 cases), stomas stenosis of biliary tract (1 case) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (1 case). The immunosuppressive protocols included tacrolimus, methylprednisolone (MP) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Results Five patients were cured. One patient died on day 4 after liver retransplantation because of multiple organ failure. Postoperative complications included deep fungal infection and wound infection. Conclusions Liver retransplantation is an effective method for graft failure after liver transplantation. Proper indication and optimum operative time, intensive perioperative supervision and proper treatment are very important to improv effect of liver retransplantation.