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A 61-year-old male underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for decompensated chronic liver disease with hepatocellular carcinoma. The right lobe from the live donor was used as the graft. During implantation, the drainage of the anterior sector of the right lobe graft was through a reconstructed middle hepatic vein using a prosthetic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft. Routine follow-up at 6 weeks showed a thrombosed PTFE graft with no clinical, radiological, or biochemical deterioration of the allograft. He was therefore managed conservatively. A routine computed tomography scan at 2 years demonstrated that the PTFE graft had eroded into the duodenum. Given the total absence of symptoms and the risk of complications associated with removing the graft, we decided against any surgical or endoscopic intervention. After a further 3 year period of follow-up, the patient continues to remain well. Enteric erosion of a prosthetic graft following LDLT can be managed without intervention, although long-term consequences are unknown.

Objective: To compare early patency and outcomes of single outflow (SOT) and double outflow (DOT) reconstruction in right lobe living donor liver transplantation (RtLDLT) in a multicenter open-labelled randomized controlled trial., Summary Background Data: Optimum graft venous outflow is a key factor in determining outcomes of RtLDLT. There is no data directly comparing SOT and DOT technique of graft outflow reconstruction., Methods: Adult patients undergoing RtLDLT needing anterior sector vein (ASV) reconstruction were enrolled. Prosthetic graft was used to create a neo-middle hepatic vein (neoMHV). Web-based permuted block randomization was used to allocate patients to SOT or DOT (1:1) prior to graft implantation. Primary endpoint was neoMHV patency upto 6 weeks. Secondary endpoints were post-operative morbidity and survival. Intention-to-treat and as-treated analyses are reported., Results: Five centers randomized 219 patients to SOT (n=110) or DOT (n=109). Both groups were similar in baseline characteristics. SOT had better neoMHV patency at 2 weeks (92.5% vs. 82.9%, P=0.032), 4 weeks (84% vs. 69%, P=0.011) but not at 6 weeks (69.5% vs. 59.2%,P=0.124). Cox- proportional hazards analysis revealed DOT (HR- 1.56 (95%ci=1.02,2.4); P=0.041) and use of Dacron graft (HR-2.83(95% ci=1.16,6.94), P=0.023) as independent risk factors for neoMHV thrombosis. SOT was associated with better in-hospital survival (97.3% vs. 90.8%; P=0.044) but similar one-year survival (89% vs. 85%, P=0.340). SOT was associated with improved survival in patients who developed early allograft dysfunction or needed re-operation., Conclusions: SOT has better early neoMHV patency than DOT and may be associated with better early survival., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None to report, (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Decreasing the graft size in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) increases the risk of early allograft dysfunction. Graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) of 0.8 is considered the threshold. There is evidence that smaller volume grafts may also provide equally good outcomes, the cut-off of which remains unknown. In this retrospective multicenter study, 92 adult LDLTs with a final GRWR ≤0.6 performed at 12 international liver transplant centers over a 3-year period were included. Perioperative data including preoperative status, portal flow hemodynamics (PFH) and portal flow modulation, development of small for size syndrome (SFSS), morbidity, and mortality was collated and analyzed. Thirty-two (36.7%) patients developed SFSS and this was associated with increased 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year mortality. The preoperative model for end-stage liver disease and inpatient status were independent predictors for SFSS (P < .05). Pre-liver transplant renal dysfunction was an independent predictor of survival (hazard ratio 3.1; 95% confidence intervals 1.1, 8.9, P = .035). PFH or portal flow modulation were not predictive of SFSS or survival. We report the largest ever multicenter study of LDLT outcomes using ultralow GRWR grafts and for the first time validate the International Liver Transplantation Society-International Living donor liver transplantation study group-Liver Transplantation Society of India consensus definition and grading of SFSS. Preoperative recipient condition rather than GRWR and PFH were independent predictors of SFSS. Algorithms to predict SFSS and LT outcomes should incorporate recipient factors along with GRWR., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors of this manuscript have no conflicts of interest to disclose as described by the American Journal of Transplantation., (Copyright © 2024 American Society of Transplantation & American Society of Transplant Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To highlight two cases mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine tumors (MINEN) of the liver and to review the literature till date. To present two cases of MINEN of the liver diagnosed in our centre with clinical & diagnostic workup, the treatment modalities, and follow up. Extensive review of the literature and compilation of the presentation and treatment modalities used in those cases., Case Reports: Thirty-three cases of MINEN of the liver have been reported till date including ours. Our cases presented as incidental masses in liver during workup for other symptoms. AFP levels were normal in both cases but PIVKA (Protein induced by vitamin K absence) levels were increased. Resection was done in one of the cases while the other patient had to undergo transplantation. A diagnosis of MINEN was made on H&E, and confirmed on IHC. One patient was unfit for systemic chemotherapy whereas the other patient received cisplastin and etoposide based chemotherapy. Both patients developed metastasis on follow up but are still alive after 12-15 months., Conclusion: MINEN is an uncommon tumor of the liver with a poor prognosis as shown by the few studies available. Recurrence and distant metastases are often described even after complete resection and the course is fatal. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy following surgical resection is not fully elucidated. Mean survival in the cases reported ranged from 1 month to 33 months. However, no significant differences were seen in the clinicopathologic profile of the cases described so far. Further multiinstitutional studies and follow up will help to further characterize this subtype for appropriate treatment.

The gut microbiota, amounting to approximately 100 trillion (10 14 ) microbes represents a genetic repertoire that is bigger than the human genome itself. Evidence on bidirectional interplay between human and microbial genes is mounting. Microbiota probably play vital roles in diverse aspects of normal human metabolism, such as digestion, immune modulation, and gut endocrine function, as well as in the genesis and progression of many human diseases. Indeed, the gut microbiota has been most closely linked to various chronic ailments affecting the liver, although concrete scientific data are sparse. In this narrative review, we initially discuss the basic epidemiology of gut microbiota and the factors influencing their initial formation in the gut. Subsequently, we delve into the gut-liver axis and the evidence regarding the link between gut microbiota and the genesis or progression of various liver diseases. Finally, we summarise the recent research on plausible ways to modulate the gut microbiota to alter the natural history of liver disease., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)