No abstract

Morbid obesity is associated with higher mortality on the LT waitlist, but no longer predicts inferior outcomes after LT. Morbidly obese patients should be considered potential candidates for LT.

Meeting DMGs prior to organ recovery with ECDs is associated with achieving 3 or more organs transplanted per donor. An increase in the number of critical care end points achieved throughout the care of a potential donor by both donor hospital and organ procurement organization is also associated with an increase in organ yield.

Complications arising from gastrointestinal anastomosis failures are a major source of morbidity and mortality. This review examines the effects of local blood flow on anastomotic healing, and discusses strategies for improving perfusion. Disruption of blood supply plays a significant role in the development of anastomotic leakage. Several methods have been suggested to improve perfusion. Omental pedicles have been employed as buttresses to promote angiogenesis, but efficacy in preventing anastomotic dehiscence has not been established. The administration of exogenous pharmacologic agents (such as vascular endothelial growth factor) is another potential strategy, although the oncological safety of this approach has been questioned. Two techniques which show promise in reducing anastomotic leakage rates include the vascular augmentation of grafts at risk for ischemia (supercharging) and ischemic conditioning (utilizing the delay phenomenon). Further studies of these strategies are needed to establish their efficacy and safety for routine use in gastrointestinal anastomoses.

Laparoscopic inversion esophagectomy is a safe and effective approach to the treatment of high-grade dysplasia and early esophageal adenocarcinoma. Compared with THE, LIE decreases operative blood loss and length of hospital stay without increasing the operative time, morbidity, or mortality related to esophagectomy.