No abstract

The liver donor pool can be increased if liver grafts are accepted without an age limit but in good condition (hemodynamic stability, short intensive care unit stay, good liver function, soft consistency, cold ischemia time <9 hr, and no severe steatosis). Octogenarian donors should be individually assessed in the absence of these ideal conditions.

No abstract

Children are one of the groups with the highest mortality rate on the waiting list for LT. Primary closure of the abdominal wall is often impossible in the pediatric population, due to a size mismatch between a large graft and a small recipient. We present a retrospective cohort study of six pediatric patients, who underwent delayed abdominal wall closure with a biological mesh after LT, and in whom early closure was impossible. A non-cross-linked porcine-derived acellular dermal matrix (Strattice(™) Reconstructive Tissue Matrix; LifeCell Corp, Bridgewater, NJ, USA) was used in all of the cases of the series. After a mean follow-up of 26 months (21-32 months), all patients were asymptomatic, with a functional abdominal wall after physical examination. Non-cross-linked porcine-derived acellular dermal matrix (Strattice(™) ) is a good alternative for delayed abdominal wall closure after pediatric LT. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to determine the best moment and the best technique for abdominal wall closure.

Fourteen cases are presented of preoperative portal vein thrombosis complicating orthotopic liver transplantation from an experience of 195 transplants carried out between April 1986 and April 1991. In four patients who suffered rethrombosis of the portal vein, the mortality rate was 100 per cent from various causes. Overall there were six deaths; two of those who died had a patent portal vein at death. Three patients underwent retransplantation: one for primary non-function, two for rejection. It is concluded that: (1) portal vein thrombosis should not represent an absolute contraindication to liver transplantation; (2) preoperative screening of prospective transplant recipients for portal thrombosis should be routine; (3) postoperative anticoagulation therapy and periodic Doppler ultrasonographic assessment of portal vein flow are important elements of post-transplant management; and (4) with thrombectomy and portal vein resection an end-to-end portal anastomosis may be performed with good results.

No abstract

Liver transplantation with compatible grafts using branch-patch anastomosis for the arterialization (both manipulative by the transplant team) reduces HAT-derived loss of grafts, with the consequent increase in graft availability and reduced mortality rate on the waiting list.

No abstract