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Introduction We sought to evaluate the effect of age on postoperative outcomes among patients undergoing major liver surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC). Methods 77 patients were included. Patients were categorized into two groups: the “n = 54) and the “≥ 70-year-olds” group (n = 23). Results Median LOS was 19 both for P = 0.72). No differences in terms of severe complication were detected (44.4% Clavien–Dindo 3–4–5 in P = 0.60). Within 90 postoperative days, 11 patients died, 6 in P = 0.29. The median follow‐up was 20 months. The death rate was 72.2% and 78.3% among patients P = 0.043. Adjusting for hypertension and Charlson comorbidity index in a multivariate analysis, the HR for age was 1.93 (95% CI 0.84–4.44), P = 0.12. Relapse occurred in 43 (81.1%) patients in the P = 0.26). Adjusting for hypertension and Charlson comorbidity index in a Cox model, the HR for age was 1.52 (95% CI 0.67–3.46), with P = 0.32. Conclusions ≥ 70-year-old patients with PHCC can still be eligible for major liver resection with acceptable complication rates and should not be precluded a priori from a radical treatment.

The performance of biliary reconstruction for restoring bilioenteric continuity after bile duct resection for hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) tumors or during liver transplantation represents a basic skill for HPB and transplant surgeons. Such reconstruction may involve duct-to-duct anastomosis (or choledochocholedochostomy) or bilioenteric anastomosis, depending on the underlying disease, anatomy and indications. This chapter will describe the techniques of duct-to-duct and bilioenteric anastomoses focusing on their basic principles, techniques and application in oncological HPB surgery and liver transplantation.

Background Dual kidney transplantation (DKT) is a largely accepted strategy to enlarge the donor pool. Niguarda Hospital started this program in December 2010, and 38 DKT have been performed. In our series, we included recipients older than those in the other series published in literature. The aim of this study was to know if our recipient selection criteria for DKT are safe. Methods We reviewed our data base of DKT and analyzed recipients' medical history, surgical technique, post-operative complications, graft survival, morbidity, and mortality. We then compared our results with the literature. Results From December 2010 to April 2015, 38 DKT were performed in Niguarda Hospital. Delayed graft function was present in 21 recipients. Explantation of both kidneys was performed in 1 patient and explantation of 1 kidney in 6 patients. Post-operative complications were present in 8 patients. Five patients returned to hemodialysis after DKT. One recipient died of medical post-operative sepsis. The mean follow-up was 24 months. Graft survival and patient survival were 86.84% and 97.93%, respectively. Compared with the literature, our series had similar mortality and morbidity rates, even if recipients' age was higher than in other series. Conclusions The strategy of DKT allocation in elderly recipients is safe. Further studies have to be performed to optimized selection of the recipients for DKT not to disadvantage younger patients in the transplant waiting list and to improve the technique of organ evaluation and preservation to refine graft allocation.

Early everolimus (EVR) introduction and tacrolimus (TAC) minimization after liver transplantation may represent a novel immunosuppressant approach. This phase 2, multicenter, randomized, open-label trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of early EVR initiation. Patients treated with corticosteroids, TAC, and basiliximab were randomized (2:1) to receive EVR (1.5 mg twice daily) on day 8 and to gradually minimize or withdraw TAC when EVR was stable at >5 ng/mL or to continue TAC at 6-12 ng/mL. The primary endpoint was the proportion of treated biopsy-proven acute rejection (tBPAR)–free patients at 3 months after transplant. As secondary endpoints, composite tBPAR plus graft/patient loss rate, renal function, TAC discontinuation rate, and adverse events were assessed. A total of 93 patients were treated with EVR, and 47 were controls. After 3 months from transplantation, 87.1% of patients with EVR and 95.7% of controls were tBPAR-free (P = 0.09); composite endpoint-free patients with EVR were 85% (versus 94%; P = 0.15). Also at 3 months, 37.6% patients were in monotherapy with EVR, and the tBPAR rate was 11.4%. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly higher with EVR, as early as 2 weeks after randomization. In the study group, higher rates of dyslipidemia (15% versus 6.4%), wound complication (18.32% versus 0%), and incisional hernia (25.8% versus 6.4%) were observed, whereas neurological disorders were more frequent in the control group (13.9% versus 31.9%; P < 0.05). In conclusion, an early EVR introduction and TAC minimization may represent a suitable approach when immediate preservation of renal function is crucial.

Background The application of robotic-assisted surgery offers EndoWrist instruments and 3-D visualization of the operative field, which are improvements over traditional laparoscopy. The results of the few studies published so far have shown that living donor nephrectomy using the robot-assisted technique is safe, feasible, and offers advantages to patients. Materials and methods Since November 2009, 16 patients have undergone robotic-assisted living donor nephrectomy at our Institute. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical technique adopted for the procedure: Group A, hand-assisted robotic nephrectomy (eight patients); Group B, totally robotic nephrectomy (eight patients). Results Intra-operative bleeding was similar in the two groups (90 vs 100 mL for Group A and B, respectively). Median warm ischemia time was significantly shorter in Group A (2.3 vs 5.1 min for Group A and B, respectively, P-value = 0.05). Switching to the open procedure was never required. Median operative time was not significantly longer in Group A than Group B (275 min vs 250 min, respectively). Conclusion Robotic assisted living kidney recovery is a safe and effective procedure. Considering the overall technical, clinical, and feasibility aspects of living kidney donation, we believe that the robotic assisted technique is the method of choice for surgeon's comfort and donors' safety. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Background Hepatic pedicle clamping (HPC) during Liver Resection (LR) is a vascular procedure designed to prevent bleeding from the liver during hepatectomy. Outgrowth of pre-existing colorectal micrometastases may occur 5-6 times faster in occluded liver lobes than in non-occluded lobes. We conducted a case-matched analysis at our Institution to assess the effects of HPC on overall and recurrence-free survival in highly selected patients, who underwent LR due to Colorectal liver metastases (CLM). Materials and methods From January 2002 to December 2010, 120 patients operated for CLM were included into this case-matched study. Patients were allocated to two groups: Group-A patients who underwent HPC during LR; Group-B patients who underwent LR without HPC. Results HPC during liver resection was associated with better overall patient 5-year survival (47.2% in Group-A and 32.1% in Group-B) (P-value = 0.06), and significantly better 5-year recurrence-free survival (49.9% in Group-A vs 18.3% in Group-B) (P-value = 0.010) The Cox regression model identified the following risk factors for worse prognosis in terms of shorter recurrence-free survival and higher incidence of tumor recurrence: no HPC (Group-B) (P-value = 0.032) and positive lymph nodes at the time of LR (P-value = 0.018). Conclusion Lack of HPC in selected patients who underwent LR for CLM results to be a strong independent risk factor for higher patient exposure to tumor recurrence. We suggest that hepatic hilum clamping should be seriously taken into consideration in this patient setting. Mini-abstract A case-matched study was performed in 120 patients undergoing liver resection due to colorectal liver metastases, comparing patients who received intermittent hepatic pedicle clamping (HPC) with those who did not. The 5-year overall survival rate was similar, but the 5-year recurrence-free rate was significantly higher with no HPC (p = 0.012). © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Three different standard types of liver bipartition producing six different types of grafts can be created by following a plane directed on the right or the left line of the middle hepatic vein (MHV): a) splitting for adult and pediatric recipients with left lateral graft (LLG) and right extended graft (REG), b) splitting for two adults or for adult and pediatric recipients of large size with creation of left graft (LG) and right graft (RG), c) splitting for two adult recipients with creation of full left graft (FLG) and full right graft (FRG). The absence of an extrahepatic portal vein bifurcation is an absolute contraindication to liver splitting. Division of the portal branches to Segment I optimizes the freeing/lengthening of the left portal vein for the implantation. Identifying the portal tract entering the caudate process at its lower aspect is helpful in preparing for the division of the hilar plate. Early division of the Arantius remnant allows a safe encircling and control of the left hepatic vein. During in situ splitting technique for adult and pediatric recipients, a 1–2-min. selective clamping of the left hepatic vein (LHV) may provide assurance that the hepatic venous drainage of Segment IV is not jeopardized. Recognition of independent segment II and III suprahepatic venous outflow (

In this Chapter we discuss the technical details of the right hemihepatectomy for living donor liver transplantation in adults by open technique. Successful donor outcome and the recipient’s hope for the highest probability of a successful transplant are relevant factors that ethically support the choice for living donor liver tranplantation.

Introduction: Repeat hepatectomy (RH) is considered a valuable option for management of recurrent colorectal liver metastases (R-CLM). Here, the outcome of RH for R-CLM was compared to that of patients who underwent single hepatectomy (SH) after subdividing the later according to re-recurrence status. Methods: Between 2001 and 2013, patients who received hepatectomy for CLM and R-CLM were included in study. Patients with non-resectable R-CLM were excluded. Results: One hundred sixteen patients were included: 86 patients in SH group and 30 patients in RH group. Repeat hepatectomy group had more synchronous CLM (76.7 versus 50 %, p = 0.011). From the 86 patients who underwent SH, 69 patients did not have R-CLM. Survival analysis was done from the time of first hepatectomy for the no R-CLM group and the time of RH for the RH group. The 3- and 5-year survival rates for the no R-CLM group were 66.4 and 48.8%, respectively, and for the RH group were 56 and 44.8% respectively (p = 0.841). Multivariate analysis showed that larger size of R-CLM is an independent risk factor for survival after RH. Conclusion: Repeat hepatectomy for R-CLM shows a comparable OS to non-recurrent CLM after single hepatectomy, despite the RH group had higher incidence of synchronous CLM.

We retrospectively studied the incidence of urological complications in a consecutive series of 590 patients (group B) who received a kidney transplant (KT) with a ureteral stent from January 1994 to December 2002. The ureteral stent was sewn to the bladder catheter during the surgical procedure and left in situ for a mean time of 10 days (range 8 to 12 days). The results were compared to a consecutive series of 414 patients who received a KT from March 1986 to December 1993 without a ureteral stent (group A). The two groups were comparable in terms of donor and recipient gender, ischemia time, delayed graft function, and chronic rejection incidence, but differed in mean donor age (44.1 vs 36.0 years), mean recipient age (45.4 vs 39.1 years), living/cadaveric donor rate (19.8% vs 11.9%), arterial lesions and bench reconstruction rate (11.1 vs 3.5%), as well as acute rejection episodes (11.7% vs 29.2%). Complications were seen in nine patients in group B (1.5%) and 17 patients in group A (4.1%) (P < .0001). Urinary leaks presented in two patients in group B (0.3%) and 11 patients in Group A (2.6%; P < .0001), while stenosis was present in six patients in group B (1.5%) and 7 in group A (1.2%) (P = NS). Urological complications such as urinary tract infection and macroscopic hematuria were similar in both groups. Time to presentation of a leak was within 2 weeks from KT in 10 patients (92.3%), while stenosis presented early in four patients (one in group B and four in group A). Of the stenoses, 69.3% presented late (beyond 12 weeks) in five patients in group B and three in Group A. In conclusion, our data suggest that routine use of double pigtail ureteral stent significantly decreased the incidence of leaks and early stenoses, but it did not modify late stenosis incidence. In the last decade, risk factors for urological complications have been increasing over time, namely, older donors and older recipients, living donation, length of dialysis, and the use of grafts with arterial lesions. Therefore we believe that a ureteral stent should be routinely considered to afford the advantage to protect the urinary anastomosis in the early postoperative period when the incidence of complications is highest, without the need of cystoscopy for its removal.

The main goal of allocation system is to guarantee an equal access to the limited resource of liver grafts for every class of patients on the waiting list, balancing between the ethical principles of equity, utility, benefit, need, and fairness. The aim of this review was to analyze liver allocation policies among these organizations, focusing on HCC. The European area considered for this analysis included 6 macro-areas or countries, which are congregated from the same policy of liver sharing and allocation. By this definition, the 6 areas identified are: Centro Nazionale Trapianti (CNT) in Italy; Eurotransplant (Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia); Organizacion Nacional de Transplantes (ONT) in Spain; Etablissement francais des Greffes (EfG) in France; NHS Blood Transplant (NHSBT) in the United Kingdom and Ireland; Scandiatransplant (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland); Romanian National Policy. Each identified area, as network for organ sharing in Europe, adopts a basic allocation system that consider a policy center oriented or patient oriented. Priorization of patients affected by HCC in the waiting list for deceased donors liver transplant worldwide is dominated by 2 main principles: urgency and utility. The main message of this review is the absence of a common organs allocation policy over the Eurpean countries. Despite that, long-term survival of the community of patients listed for transplant due to HCC results, however, highly acceptable in Europe and comparable to the long-term survial reported in the UNOS register.

Although the application of robotic-assisted techniques is widespread in urology, gynecology, and in thoracic, general and cardiac surgery, few studies have assessed the feasibility and advantages of robotic-assisted surgery for liver tumors. In particular, no authors have assessed the benefits of the application of totally robotic LR (TR-LR) to the specific setting of HCC on liver cirrhosis. Between March and December 2011, 18 TR-LRs were performed at our institute. The operation was performed on account of a single nodule of HCC associated with liver cirrhosis in 10 (56 %) patients, who were included in the study. To expand the significance of study results, patients were compared to a series of ten selected totally laparoscopic LR (TL-LR) of HCC on liver cirrhosis (also performed at our institute) by case-matching analysis. Analysis of the peri-operative data disclosed significant differences in the median number of packed red blood cell units transfused (TR-LR 0.3 vs TL-LR 0.8: P value = 0.008) and of fresh frozen plasma units transfused (TR-LR 0.7 vs TL-LR 1.3: P value = 0.035). Oncological features in the two groups were similar. In our experience, at present TR-LR appears to be the major minimally invasive technique that has the best chance of reproducing the results achieved with open liver surgery. TR-LR significantly reduces the risk of bleeding and transfusion. Furthermore, and probably more importantly, the risk of non-radical tumor resection appears to be lower for TR-LR than TL-LR.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary tumor of the liver and is reported to be the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths. Liver resection and transplantation are the only curative treatment modalities, even though both techniques are marked by a relatively high rate of tumor recurrence. Whenever tumor recurrence develops as a new nodule, several strategies are available for diagnosis and treatment. However, massive bleeding in a transplanted liver due to recurrent ruptured HCC has never been reported. This kind of presenting pattern has several concerns for diagnosis and treatment.

Background Robot-assisted surgery provide endowrist instruments and 3-dimensional visualization of the operative field that are improvements over traditional laparoscopy. The few research studies published so far have demonstrated that living-donor nephrectomy using the robot-assisted technique is safe and feasible, providing advantages for patients. Methods Since November 2009, we performed 20 robot-assisted living-donor nephrectomies. Eight patients underwent hand-assisted robotic nephrectomy, whereas 20, totally robotic nephrectomy. Results Median intraoperative bleeding was 174 mL (range, 10-750) but no patient needed intraoperative transfusion with blood cells. The median warm ischemia time was 3.16 minutes (range, 0.30-6.5). There was no case of conversion to an open procedure. The median operative time was 311 minutes (range, 85-530); the median console time was 160 minutes (range, 135-220). Conclusion Robot-assisted living-donor kidney recovery was a safe and effective procedure. The totally robotic recovery is an evolving technique. The prospect of robotic staplers, endowrist ligature, and robotic single port may further increase these advantages. © 2013 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Background Donor safety must be considered to be a priority in live-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The aim of this study was to evaluate these outcomes with special attention to surgical complications and their treatment. Methods From March 2001 to March 2012, 80 live donors underwent right hepatectomy (5-8 segments). The middle hepatic vein was always left in the donor. Our retrospective study analyzed surgical outcomes and complications according to the Clavien classification modified for live donors. Results With a median follow up of 63.2 ± 12.6 months, the mortality was 0%. Two donors experienced intraoperative complications, but all of them had complete recovery there after. Among the 22 complications in 17 donors (21.2%), 7 (8.7%) were major complications (Clavien grade 2b) but only 2 donors required surgical treatment. Conclusions LDLT is a safe and feasible modality to alleviate the cadaveric donor shortage. The efficacy of this procedure is similar to that with deceased donors. © 2013 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

INTRODUCTION: Liver transplantation (LT) after liver resection (LR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence may be associated with poor patient long-term results and higher perioperative patient morbidity and mortality. This study focused on short-term and long-term outcomes of LT recipients due to HCC recurrence after LR in a single-institution cohort, and in highly comparable case-matched subgroups. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2009, 570 consecutive patients with documented HCC underwent LR (n=355, 62.2%) or LT (n=215, 37.8%) at our Institute. The case-matched analysis was between 2 groups: group A1, LT recipients who had already undergone LR (n=26); group B1, LT recipients who had not already undergone LR (n=26). RESULTS: Patient morbidity was higher in the A1 group in terms of packed red blood cell units transfused, fresh frozen plasma units transfused, median operative time, postoperative bleeding, and postoperative reoperations. No differences were detected in terms of patient mortality, patient survival, and patient recurrence-free survival at the univariate and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Although LT among patients who have already undergone LR is associated with higher risk of patient morbidity, patient long-term survival and recurrence-free survival is not impaired. Therefore, there do not seem to be any valid reasons to deny the chance of LT to patients who have already undergone LR. Copyright © 2013 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Purpose: Laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) is established as a safe and feasible surgical procedure for benign and malignant liver lesions showing many benefits in terms of short-term post-operative outcomes. Nevertheless, it remains unclear if these benefits extend beyond the hospital stay. The aim of this study was to compare in-hospital and post-discharge outcomes between two groups of patients who have undergone either laparoscopic or open hepatectomy (OH). Methods: Forty-six patients who have undergone LH from September 2008 to September 2011 were compared to 46 matched-pair control patients who have undergone OH. The two groups were compared in terms of in-hospital and 6-month outcomes. Post-discharge outcomes were analyzed in terms of the number of outpatient clinic appointments (OCAs) and readmissions (RAs). Analyses were performed excluding and including conversion cases. Results: The two groups resulted in homogeneous patients' and lesions' characteristics. Patients who underwent LH showed statistically lower intra-operative blood loss, less total and major morbidity and shorter hospital stay. Regarding post-discharge outcomes, significantly less patients of LH group compared to patients of OH group required more than two post-discharge OCAs (in the intention to treat analysis, 28.3 versus 63 %, respectively; P = 0.006) or RA (4.3 versus 15.2 %, respectively; P = 0.008). The benefits of LH appeared to be maximized in cirrhotic patients; those represented the large part of patients readmitted after hepatectomy regardless of the type of surgical approach (77.8 %). Conclusions: Advantages related to LH extend over the post-discharge period suggesting potential better patient's satisfaction and lower hospital cost. © 2012 Springer-Verlag

Background: To date the selection of the best candidates for liver transplantation (LT) owing to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been mainly based on tumor morphological characteristics (nodule diameter and number), which have resulted to be independent risk factors for short long-term survival and a high rate of tumor recurrence. Methods: The study cohort included 118 patients among the 166 with HCC transplanted at our unit from January 2000 to December 2007. Patients were classified according to response to locoregional treatments before LT: progressive Group A; complete Group B; partial Group C; stable Group D. Results: The 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 65.5% and 48.9% for Group A versus 84.8% and 74.6% for Group BCD (P = 0.01). The 3-year and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 74% and 74% for Group A and 95.7% and 93% for Group BCD (P = 0.007). HCC progression was the only independent risk factor according to Cox regression P = 0.014 - odds ratio 4.4 (1.35-14.3). Conclusion: After aggressive HCC treatment before LT, imaging progression while on the waiting list was a strong predictor of high HCC recurrence rate also in patients who met the Milan criteria. Lack of imaging progression can contribute toward the selection of good transplant candidates for HCC together with the Milan criteria. Copyright © 2012 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Background/Aims: LDLT may represent a valid therapeutic option allowing several advantages for patients affected by HCC and waiting for liver transplantation (LT). However, some reports show a worse long term survival and disease free survival among patients treated by LDLT for HCC than deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) recipients. Methodology: Among 1145 LT patients, 63 received LDLT. From January 2000 to December 2008, 179 patients underwent LT due to HCC, 30 (16.7%) received LDLT and 154 (86.0%) received DDLT. Patients were selected based on the Milan criteria. TACE, radiofrequency ablation, percutaneous alcoholization, or liver resection were applied as downstaging procedures, while on the waiting list. Results: Overall 3- and 5-year survival rate was 77.3% and 68.7% vs. 82.8% and 76.7%, respectively for LDLT and DDLT recipient with not significant differences. Moreover, 3- and 5- years of recurrence free survival rate was 95.5% (LDLT) vs. 90.5% and 89.4% (DDLT) and resulted not significantly different. Conclusions: LDLT guarantees same long term results than DDLT if the selection criteria of candidates are analogues. Milan criteria remains a valid candidate selection tool to obtain optimal long term results in LDLT. An aggressive downstaging policy seems to improve the long-term results in LDLT, thus LRT may be considered useful to prevent tumor progression waiting for transplantation as well as a neoadjuvant therapy for HCC. A literature detailed meta-analysis could definitely clarify if LDLT is an independent risk factor for HCC recurrence. © H.G.E. Update Medical Publishing S.A.

Introduction: Chronic viral hepatitis is considered to be the most significant risk factor for development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, about 5%-15% of HCC occur in noncirrhotic or virus-unrelated cirrhotic patients. The natural history of HCC in terms of incidence, clinical features, and tumor progression differs according to the underlying cancerogenic factors and differences in hepatocarcinogenetic pathways. Little is know about the relationship between HCC outcomes after liver transplantation (OLT) and the primary liver disease. We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of patients transplanted due to HCC in settings of either virus-related or virus-unrelated cirrhosis. Patients and Methods: From January 2000 to December 2007, 179 patients underwent OLT due to HCC: 157 (87.8%) affected by virus-related (group A) and 22 (12.2%) virus-unrelated cirrhosis (group B). We analyzed patient characteristics including demographics, tumor features, downstaging treatments, and recurrences. Results: At a mean follow-up of 41.2 months, the 3- and 5-year overall long-term survivals between group A versus group B were 81% versus 75% and 85% versus 78.4% respectively (P = NS). The 3- and 5-year disease-free survivals between group A versus group B were 90.8% versus 89.6% and 85.6% versus 85.6%, respectively (P = NS). After OLT, HCC recurrences occurred in 14 group A (14/157, 8.9%) and 4 patients (4/22, 18.1%) group B subjects. Discussion: Our data demonstrated that after OLT, HCC outcomes were not different between patients with virus-related or -unrelated cirrhosis. The direct oncogenetic role played by hepatitis B and C appear to not be associated with a greater risk to develop HCC recurrence. © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Biliary complications continue to be a major cause of morbidity after split-liver transplantation (SLT). In this report we describe an uncommon late biliary complication. One year after SLT the patient showed an intrahepatic bile dicy dilatation with severe cholangitis episodes. The segmentary bile duct of hepatic segment VI-VII draining in the left duct was unidentified and tied at the time of the in situ split-liver procedure. We perform a permanent obliteration of the dilated intrahepatic ducts by a percutaneous embolization using an n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NABC). The management of biliary complications after SLT requires a multidisciplinary approach. The use of NBCA in obliteration of a dilated bile duct seems to be a safe procedure with good results providing a less invasive option than hepatic resection and decreasing the morbidity associated with chronic external biliary drainage. Further studies are needed to determine whether this approach is effective and safe and whether it could reduce hospital stay and cost.

Objective: Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) may represent a valid therapeutic option allowing several advantages for patients affected by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) awaiting orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). However, some reports in the literature have demonstrated worse long-term and disease-free survivals among patients treated by LDLT than deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) for HCC. Herein we have reported our long-term results comparing LDLT with DDLT for HCC. Patients and Methods: Among 179 patients who underwent OLT from January 2000 to December 2007, 25 (13.9%) received LDLT with HCC 154 (86.1%) received DDLT. Patients were selected based on the Milan criteria. Transarterial chemoembolization, radiofrequency ablation, percutaneous alcoholization, or liver resection was applied as a downstaging procedure while on the waiting list. Patients with stage II HCC were proposed for LDLT. Results: The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 77.3% and 68.7% versus 82.8% and 76.7% for LDLT and DDLT recipients, respectively, with no significant difference by the log-rank test. Moreover, the 3- and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 95.5% and 95.5% (LDLT) versus 90.5% and 89.4% (DDLT; P = NS). Conclusions: LDLT guarantees the same long-term results as DDLT where there are analogous selection criteria for candidates. The Milan criteria remain a valid tool to select candidates for LDLT to achieve optimal long-term results. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Liver adenomatosis (LA) is a rare benign disease of the liver with unclear pathogenesis, which is characterized by multiple hepatic adenomas. The management of LA remains controversial. Herein we have reported a case of LA treated by living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). A 48-year-old woman developed multiple liver adenomas. In view of the sizes and localizations of the lesions, the patient underwent right hepatic resection and segment II nodulectomy. Thirty-four months later, she developed recurrence of multiple hepatic adenomas and 2 nodules were highly suspect for hepatocellular carcinoma. Re-resection was not indicated due to the whole liver being involved with adenomas. The patient underwent LDLT. At 45 months thereafter she is alive and disease-free. In conclusion, LDLT is indicated in cases of nonresectability; it may offer optimal results in view of the absence of portal hypertension and the elimination of waiting list time. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

The role of split-liver transplantation (SLT) for two adult recipients is still a matter of debate, and no agreement exists on indications, surgical techniques, and results. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the outcome of our series of SLT. From May 1999 to December 2006, 16 patients underwent SLT at our unit. We used 9 full right grafts (segments 5-8) and 7 full left grafts (segments 1-4). The splitting procedure was always carried out in situ with a fully perfused liver. Postoperative complications were recorded in 8 (50%) patients: 5 (55%) in full right grafts and 3 (43%) in full left grafts. No one was retransplanted. After a median follow-up of 55.82 months (range, 0.4-91.2), 5 (31%) patients died, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rate for patients and grafts was 69%. We considered as a control group for the global outcome 232 whole liver transplantations performed at our unit in the same period of time. Postoperative complications were recorded in 53 (23%) patients, and after a median follow-up of 57.37 months (mean, 55.11; range, 1-102.83), the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall patient survival was 87%, 82%, and 80%, respectively. In conclusion, SLT for two adult recipients is a technically demanding procedure that requires complex logistics and surgical teams experienced in both liver resection and transplantation. Although the reported rate of survival might be adequate for such a procedure, more efforts have to be made to improve the short-term outcome, which is inadequate in our opinion. The true feasibility of SLT for two adults has to be considered as still under investigation. © 2008 AASLD

Living donation in the field of renal transplantation has increased over time as well as the use of laparoscopic nephrectomy. We present a 15-year experience on 162 living donors (105 women, 57 men; mean age, 46.7 years; range, 31-74 years) who underwent nephrectomy using different surgical approaches as open lombotomic nephrectomy (OLN), open transperitoneal nephrectomy (OTN), and laparoscopic hand-assisted nephrectomy (LHAN). We collected data on residual donor and recipient renal function, as well as early versus late medical and surgical complications. With a mean follow-up of about 8 years, we observed normal residual renal function in all donors and similar results of early and late graft function independent of the surgical procedure. Long-term incidence of hypertension and noninsulin-dependent diabetes in living donors was similar to the general population. OLN and OTN donors showed higher incidences of early and late complications, readmissions, and reoperations than LHAN donors. Our results confirmed that living donor nephrectomy is a safe procedure without serious side effects in terms of renal function and long-term quality of life. LHAN should be the preferred technique because of a lower incidence of early and late complications.

The highest rate of complications characterizing the adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT) are due to biliary problems with a reported negative incidence of 22-64%. We performed 23 ALDLT grafting segments V-VIII without the middle hepatic vein from March 2001 to September 2005. Biliary anatomy was investigated using intraoperative cholangiography alone in the first five cases and magnetic resonance cholangiography in the remaining 18 cases. In 13 cases we found a single right biliary duct (56.5%) and in 10 we found multiple biliary ducts (43.7%). We performed single biliary anastomosis in 17 cases (73.91%) and double anastomosis in the remaining six (26%) cases. With a mean follow up of 644 days (8-1598 days), patient and graft survivals are 86.95% and 78.26%, respectively. The following biliary complications were observed: biliary leak from the cutting surface: three, anastomotic leak: two, late anastomotic strictures: five, early kinking of the choledochus: one. These 11 biliary complications (47.82%) occurred in eight patients (34.78%). Three of these patients developed two consecutive and different biliary complications. Biliary complications affected our series of ALDLT with a high percentage, but none of the grafts transplanted was lost because of biliary problems. Multiple biliary reconstructions are strongly related with a high risk of complication. © 2006 The Authors

Perioperative donor morbidity, a barrier to living organ donation, may be mitigated by the laparoscopic approach. From September 2002 to September 2004, 15 living donors, of ages ranging from 36 to 59 years, underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy. We used a hand-assisted device to increase the safety of the procedure. The average operating time was 200 minutes. The average blood loss was about 100 mL. The patients resumed oral intake and started walking within 1 day. The average postoperative hospital stay was 6 days. Although laparoscopic operating times were longer than those for traditional surgery, we showed benefits to the laparoscopic donor to be less postoperative pain, better cosmesis, shorter recovery time, and faster return to normal activities. We therefore consider laparoscopic nephrectomy a good alternative to traditional surgery for selected patients. Despite a lack of strong evidence, such as large prospective randomized studies, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is likely to become the gold standard for donor nephrectomy in the near future.

We examined surgical complications among a group of diabetic type 1 patients (IDDM) with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who had undergone pancreas-kidney transplantations (PK). Between October 1993 and August 2004, 70 SPK were performed using bladder (n = 14) or enteric (n = 56) drainage. Donors were selected according to standard criteria (mean age, 27.6 years; range, 17–49). All patients received cyclosporine-based immunosuppression. All pancreata functioned immediately, whereas 2 patients needed postoperative dialysis. Four patients (5.7%) lost their pancreatic graft due to vascular thrombosis; both patients underwent urgent allograft pancreaectomy and pancreas retransplantation (re-PT). One of them (1.4%) experienced a venous thrombosis and died due to a pulmonary embolism at 12 hours after re-PT. The other 3 patients had uneventful postoperative courses and were discharged with good pancreatic and renal function. Three patients in the bladder group (21.4%) had an anastomotic leak, which resolved with a bladder catheter. Four patients in the enteric group (7.1%) who experienced an anastomotic leak needed a second surgical procedure but in 3 of them allograft pancreatectomy was necessary. Relaparotomy was required in the other 3 patients due to hemorrhage (1 patient) or occlusion (2 patients). Acute rejection episodes, which occurred in 16 patients (22.8%), were treated with steroid boluses. With a mean follow-up of 72 months (range, 3–129), 2 patients have died at 8 and at 36 months, respectively, after SPK due to acute myocardial infarction (2.9%). Chronic rejection was the leading cause of pancreatic failure in 5 patients (7.1%) and of renal failure in 2 patients (2.8%). Patient, kidney, and pancreas survival rates were 95.8%, 92.9%, and 81.5%, respectively. Surgical complications were the leading cause of pancreatic allograft loss in IDDM and ESRD patients submitted to SPK.

Although right hemiliver transplant from living donors (LD) is gaining acceptance as a way to overcome the critical organ shortage, splitting a liver for two adults from cadaveric donor (CD) is still controversial. Methods. From May 1999 to August 2004 we performed nine right hemiliver transplants using segments 5-6-7-8 from CD and 18 from LD. Results. We compared the two procedures to evaluate both the technical aspects and the patients' outcomes. In the CD group, three recipients died (33%), two of whom were UNOS Status 2A. Patient and graft survivals were 67% (median follow-up: 23 months). Among the LD group, three recipients died (17%) and two were retransplanted; one because of arterial thrombosis and the other as a consequence of small-for-size syndrome. Patient and graft survivals were 83% and 72%, respectively (median follow-up: 8 months). There were five early complications in the CD group (55%) and five (27%) in the LD group. Two patients in the LD group experienced a late stenosis of the biliary anastomosis. Discussion. Data from our early experience show that better results are achieved by right hemiliver transplants from LD; the morbidity and mortality are higher among the CD group. We believe that this finding is probably a consequence of better preoperative donor evaluation, shorter ischemia time, better logistics, and learning curve. Recipient selection is crucial; this kind of graft is at high risk of poor function, technical complications, and infections. Further experience will help to clarify the reliability of right hemiliver transplants from CD. © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

s of the 46th A.I.S.F. Annual Meeting 2013 / Digestive and Liver Disease 45S (2013), S1–S48 S7 the increase of HRR. The analysis of survival benefit comparing the risk of waiting list drop-out with the mortality of the 170 transplanted patients with same HRR, showed an important benefit for LT in patients with HRR>16.3. Conclusions: In patients with MELD

206 THE UN-SUSTAINABLE MATCH IN HCV LIVER TRANSPLANT PATIENTS A.W. Avolio, S. Agnes, M.C. Lirosi, M. Salizzoni, A. Pinna, B. Gridelli, L. De Carlis, M. Colledan, G. Gerunda, U. Valente, G. Rossi, G. Ettorre, A. Risaliti, V. Mazzaferro, F. Bresadola, M. Rossi, G. Tisone, F. Zamboni, L. Lupo, O. Cuomo, F. Calise, A. Vitale, N. Nicolotti, R. Romagnoli, A. Cucchetti, S. Gruttadauria, I. Mangoni, D. Pinelli, R. Montalti, M. Gelli, L. Caccamo, G. Vennarecci, D. Nicolini, E. Regalia, U. Baccarani, Q. Lai, T. Manzia, E. Tondolo, M. Rendina, A. Perrella, E. Scuderi, B. Antonelli, C. de Waure, M. Angelico, P. Burra, A. Gasbarrini, U. Cillo, Donor-to-Recipient Italian Liver Transplant (DR2-ILTx) Study Group. Liver Transplant Center, “A.Gemelli”Hospital, Catholic University, Rome, Liver Transplant Center, “S. Giovanni Battista” Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Liver Transplant Center, “S. Orsola” Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Liver Transplant Center, IsMeTT-UPMC, Palermo, Liver TransplantCenter, “Niguarda” Hospital, Milan, Liver Transplant Center, “Ospedali Riuniti”, Bergamo, Liver Transplant Center, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Liver Transplant Center, “S. Martino” Hospital, University of Genoa, Genoa, Liver Transpantation Center, IRCCS Foundation, “Maggiore” Hospital, Milan, Liver Transplant Center, “San Camillo-Forlanini” Hospital, Rome, Liver Transplant Center, “Umberto I” Hospital, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Liver Transplant Center, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS Foundation, Milan, Liver Transplant Center, University of Udine, Udine, Liver Transplant Center, “Umberto I” Hospital, “La Sapienza” University, Liver Transplant Center, “Tor Vergata” University Hospital, Rome, Liver Transplant Center, “G. Brotzu” University Hospital, Cagliari, Liver Transplant Center, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplant, University of Bari, Bari, Liver Transplant Center, Laparoscopic Hepatobiliary Surgical Unit, “A. Cardarelli” University Hospital, Liver Transplant Center, Hepatobiliary Surgical Unit, “A. Cardarelli” University Hospital, Naples, Liver Transplant Center, Department of Surgical and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padua, Padova, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Hygiene, Catholic University, Rome, Italy E-mail: alfonso.avolio@tin.it

Introduction: Adult living donor liver transplants (ALDLTs) have emerged as an option in the last few years. Materials and methods: From March 2001 through February 2006, we performed 27 ALDLTs. Liver volume, vascular, and biliary anatomy were assessed by CT scan and magnetic resonance cholangiography. The graft-to-recipient weight ratio was always above 0.8. The recipients were United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) status 2B or 3. The transplant was carried out grafting segments V-VIII to the recipient without the MHV. In the recipient we have never used a venous-venous bypass. Results: With a mean follow-up of 675 days (range, 8 to 1,804 days), 23 out of the 27 patients are alive. Three have undergone a retransplant: 2 as a consequence of an arterial thrombosis and 1 because of small-for-size-syndrome. These data show an overall patient and graft survival rate of 85% and 74%. Four deaths were caused by massive pulmonary bleeding due to Rendu-Osler syndrome, systemic aspergillosis, sepsis, and cardiac arrhythmia. Fourteen biliary complications (51.85%) occurred in 11 recipients (40.74%); 3 of these patients developed 2 consecutive and different biliary complications. All the donors are alive and well. Conclusion: An expert surgical team and proper selection of both donor and recipient are mandatory. Overall results of ALDLTs are very satisfactory, even if we have to take into account a high rate of biliary complications.

Introduction: Biliary problems are very common complications in adult living donor liver transplants (ALDLTs), with a reported negative incidence of 22% to 64%. Patients and methods: From March 2001 through February 2006, we performed 27 ALDLTs, grafting segments V-VIII without the middle hepatic vein. Biliary anatomy was investigated using intraoperative cholangiography in the first 5 patients and with magnetic resonance cholangiography alone in the remaining 22. In 15 patients, we found a single right biliary duct (55.55%) and in 12 we found multiple biliary ducts (44.45%). We performed single biliary anastomoses in 20 patients (74.07%) and multiple anastomoses in the remaining 7 (25.93%). Results: With a mean follow-up of 675 days (range, 8 to 1,804 days), patient and graft survival rates were 85% and 74%. The following biliary complications were observed: 4 biliary leaks from the cut surface, 3 anastomotic leaks, 6 late anastomotic strictures, and 1 early kinking of the choledochus. These 14 biliary complications (51.85%) occurred in 11 patients (40.74%). Conclusion: Biliary complications affected our series of ALDLTs at a high percentage, but none of the grafts transplanted was lost due to biliary problems. Magnetic resonance cholangiography seems to be a reliable instrument to investigate biliary anatomy. Multiple biliary reconstructions are strongly associated with a high risk of complications.