In 2014, simultaneous liver kidney transplants (SLK) accounted for 8.2 % of all liver transplants performed in the USA. Prior to introduction of the model of end stage liver disease (MELD) system, SLK accounted for 2.5 % in 2001 and only 1.7 % in 1990. Transplant centers have struggled to balance the moral and ethical aspects of SLK in the setting of organ scarcity with an algorithm that best qualifies patients for such treatment options. Few centers have even ventured into DCD territory for SLK. Advancement in immunosuppression protocols and treatment of HCV and HIV have impacted SLK over the years. Simulation modeling has allowed us to analyze the future impact of our decisions that are made today. All of these advancements have given, and will continue to give new perspectives to SLK. The purpose of this review article is to highlight these advances and bring to light the studies that have made this transplant option successful.
Pancreatic fistula (PF) continues to be the Achilles’ heel of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with both morbidity and mortality linked to its occurrence. The optimal drain management strategy after PD remains unclear. We evaluated drain amylase (DA) levels on postoperative Day (POD) 0 to 5 in 76 consecutive patients undergoing PD to determine the patterns associated with PF. Of these 76 patients, eight patients (11%) developed Grade A, B, or C PF by International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula criteria. POD 1 DA levels correlated closely with PF rates when high (greater than 5000 U/L, 100% PF rate) and low (less than 100 U/L, 2% PF rate). In patients with intermediate POD 1 DA (100 to 5000 U/L), 42 and 74 per cent had low DA levels on POD 3 and 5, respectively, and the PF rate was four of 31 (13%). Overall, the temporal pattern of decreasing DA levels after PD correlates closely with the risk of PF, and only two patients (5%) developed PF after early DA levels had normalized. Based on these data, we propose an algorithm of monitoring DA daily with drain removal when the level is less than 100 U/L. In our patient group drain removal would have occurred on a mean of 1.8 days and median 1 day after surgery.
Extension of pancreatic adenocarcinoma into adjacent vasculature often necessitates resection of the portal vein (PV) and/or superior mesenteric vein (SMV) during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The vein is reconstructed primarily by end-to-end anastomosis of vein remnants or venoplasty or by use of autologous or synthetic vein grafts. The objective of this study was to review outcomes in patients undergoing PD for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, specifically comparing the short- and long-term outcomes between the patients undergoing vascular resection and those undergoing standard PD. All patients undergoing PD for pancreatic adenocarcinoma by a single surgeon between 2007 and 2012 were reviewed. Of the 61 patients identified, 18 patients underwent vascular resection of the PV (four patients), SMV (10 patients), or both (four patients). The remaining 43 patients had standard PD. Demographic, perioperative, pathological, and long-term outcomes data were collected and both vascular and standard groups were compared. Both groups had similar demographics. The vascular group had significantly longer operative times (529 vs 406 minutes; P < 0.01) with a trend to greater estimated blood loss (0.64 vs 0.53 L; P = 0.06). Pathological analysis showed no difference between the two groups with regard to lymph node status/ratio and rate of R0 resection (94 vs 91%; P = 0.57); however, the size of the tumor was significantly greater in the vascular group (4.2 vs 3 cm; P < 0.01). Short-term outcomes were similar in the vascular group and standard group, respectively, with no difference in pancreatic fistula rate (6 vs 7%; P = 1.0), transfusion rate (44 vs 35%; P = 0.57), and median length of stay (8 vs 7 days; P = 0.10), and there was no 30-day mortality in either group. Based on Kaplan-Meier methods, the median recurrence-free survival was 18 versus 23 months ( P = 0.37) in the vascular and standard groups, respectively, and the overall survival was almost identical in both groups, each with a median of 31 months ( P = 0.91). In our experience, mesenteric and PV resection during PD was performed safely and without compromise of short- or longer-term outcomes. It can be performed safely and patients have no significant difference in perioperative outcomes or overall survival.
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