Objective:To explore the decision-making experience of patients undergoing abdominoplasty in our country.Methods:A semi-structured interview was conducted with patients suffering from postpartum abdominal wall laxity who were treated at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from June to August 2023. The data were sort and analyzed using the Clolaizzi 7-step analysis method for thematic description.Results:A total of 15 patients, aged 29-53 years, were included in the study. 11 had a college education or higher, while 4 had less than a college education.Thirteen were married and two were divorced. According to the interview data, four themes were extracted: (1) negative perceptual experiences; (2) decision-making dilemmas; (3) peer support; (4) a physician-led decision-making model. According to the interview, the main decision-making dilemma faced by patients with postpartum abdominal wall laxity was lack of information and family support, and the support they get was mostly from information exchange among patients, and they had insufficient cognition of surgical knowledge, improvement degree and risk, and low participation in clinical decision making.Conclusion:Patients with postpartum abdominal wall laxity in China have an urgent psychological need for abdominoplasty, but there are many factors that have adverse effects on their decision-making experience.

Objective:To explore the decision-making experience of patients undergoing abdominoplasty in our country.Methods:A semi-structured interview was conducted with patients suffering from postpartum abdominal wall laxity who were treated at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from June to August 2023. The data were sort and analyzed using the Clolaizzi 7-step analysis method for thematic description.Results:A total of 15 patients, aged 29-53 years, were included in the study. 11 had a college education or higher, while 4 had less than a college education.Thirteen were married and two were divorced. According to the interview data, four themes were extracted: (1) negative perceptual experiences; (2) decision-making dilemmas; (3) peer support; (4) a physician-led decision-making model. According to the interview, the main decision-making dilemma faced by patients with postpartum abdominal wall laxity was lack of information and family support, and the support they get was mostly from information exchange among patients, and they had insufficient cognition of surgical knowledge, improvement degree and risk, and low participation in clinical decision making.Conclusion:Patients with postpartum abdominal wall laxity in China have an urgent psychological need for abdominoplasty, but there are many factors that have adverse effects on their decision-making experience.

Objective:To analyze the prognostic outcomes of 1 147 patients who underwent liver transplantation at Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital and to summarize measures to enhance the efficacy of liver transplantation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and follow-up data of 1 147 liver transplant patients at Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital.Results:The overall postoperative 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates for the 1 147 liver transplant patients were 87.20%, 73.40%, and 65.60%, respectively. The survival rates for benign disease liver transplant recipients were 88.01%, 84.98%, and 81.39% at 1, 3, and 5 years post-transplant, respectively, compared to recipients transplanted for malignancies of 78.11%, 64.41%, and 60.06% (all P<0.001). Among the mid vs more recent period, patients' 1-year and 3-year postoperative survival rates were 84.20%, 70.80% vs 90.50%, 71.70%, respectively,significantly in favor of recently enrolled patients ( P=0.022). In the complex surgery group, patients' 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 82.70%, 65.50%, 56.70%, while in less complicated group, it was 89.00%, 76.50%, 69.20% ( P<0.001). The primary causes of death for benign disease recipients were multi-organ failure (4.1%), while in recipients with malignant disease primary cause of death was tumor recurrence (23.7%). Postoperative complications included primary graft dysfunction, delayed graft function recovery, portal vein thrombosis, hepatic artery thrombosis, biliary stricture, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, and graft-versus-host disease, with occurrence rates of 1.05%, 6.89%, 1.92%, 0.44%, 2.00%, 0.61%, and 0.44%, respectively. Conclusions:With the continuous improvement in surgical techniques and perioperative care levels, the 3-year survival rate of recipients at our center has increased. Malignant diseases and complex liver transplantation remain crucial factors affecting recipient prognosis, highlighting the need to further enhance comprehensive treatment capabilities for patients with malignant diseases and complex surgeries.

This article reports a patient with hepatic coma who underwent artificial liver support therapy and liver transplantation successfully， and the patient recovered well in the later stage after active treatment. This article also discusses the timing of liver transplantation.

Objective:To investigate the application of endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy (EUS-LB) to liver transplant recipients.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 12 liver transplant recipients who underwent EUS-LB by the same endoscopist and specimens were diagnosed and reported by the same pathologist due to abnormal liver function or need to be evaluated for graft fibrosis in the Organ Transplantation Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were enrolled into the EUS-LB group from December 2021 to March 2022, meanwhile, a total of 23 patients whose PLB was completed by the same hepatologist and specimens were diagnosed by the same pathologist during the same period were enrolled in the PLB group. Acquisition of liver specimens and postoperative adverse events of the two groups were compared.Results:Patients in both groups were punctured 1-2 times on average, and the median total length of liver specimens in the EUS-LB group was significantly longer than that in the PLB group (61 mm VS 17 mm, Z=11.362, P=0.002). There was no significant difference in the length of the longest liver specimens between the two groups (17.6±6.9 mm VS 13.7±3.5 mm, t=2.382, P=0.086), while the number of liver specimens in the EUS-LB group was more than that in the PLB group (4.8±2.1 VS 2.3±1.2, t=9.271, P=0.001). The number of complete portal tracts was 11.3±4.6 in the EUS-LB group and 6.2±3.3 in the PLB group ( t=8.457, P=0.003). Abdominal pain was the only postoperative adverse event, and only 1 patient in the EUS-LB group had postoperative abdominal pain, which was fewer than that in the PLB group [8.3% (1/12) VS 43.5% (10/23), χ2=4.893, P=0.036]. Conclusion:Compared with PLB, EUS-LB delivers longer liver biopsy specimens with more complete portal tracts in liver transplant recipients, and fewer recipients complain about postoperative pain in EUS-LB group. Therefore, EUS-LB is a safer, more effective and more comfortable liver biopsy method.

Objective:To investigate the surgical efficacy of split liver transplantation.Methods:Patients who underwent liver transplantation at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 2015 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into split liver transplantation group ( n=60) and whole liver transplantation group ( n=765)according to graft types.In the split liver transplantation group, there were 23 males and 37 females, aged (52.5±10.2) years, and the body mass index was (22.4±3.3) kg/m 2. In the whole liver transplantation group, there were 630 males and 135 females, aged (51.2±9.6) years, and body mass index was (24.5±3.7) kg/m 2.The basic data of the two groups were matched 1∶1 using the propensity score matching method. The independent sample t test and χ2 test were used to compare the intraoperative and postoperative recovery of the two groups of donors and recipients. The overall survival rate and the graft survival rate of the two groups were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and the cumulative survival rate was compared by the Log-rank test. Results:Fifty-one well-matched pairs of data with similar baseline characteristics were obtained. The ratio of graft mass to recipient body weight in the matched split liver transplantation group was (1.78±0.55)%. Operation time( M(IQR))(10.8(1.5)hours vs. 8.0(1.9)hours, U=6.608, P<0.01) and cold ischaemia time(5.4(1.3)hours vs. 4.6(2.2)hours, U=2.825, P=0.005) were significantly longer in the split liver transplantation group than those in the whole liver transplantation group. Intra-operative anhepatic phase(53.0(15.0)minutes vs. 57.0(24.0)minutes, U=1.048, P=0.295),bleeding volume(1 000(1 400)ml vs. 1 200(1 200)ml, U=0.966, P=0.334) and intraoperative instillation of red blood cells(9.0(6.5)U vs. 11.0(11.0)U, U=1.732, P=0.083) were not significantly different between the two groups. However,the split liver transplantation group showed significantly longer postoperative intensive care unit stay(5.0(3.0)days vs. 4.0(4.0)days, U=2.677, P=0.007) and postoperative hospital stay(30.0(15.0)days vs. 26.0(15.0)days, U=2.237, P=0.025) and significantly higher incidence of postoperative complications(56.8%(29/51) vs. 36.6%(19/51), χ2=3.935, P=0.047) than the whole liver transplantation group. Furthermore,levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly higher on postoperative days 1,4 and 7 in the split liver transplantation group(all P<0.05) than in the whole liver transplantation group;however,there were no significant differences in these levels on postoperative days 14 and 28. The time to restoration of normal liver function in both groups(12.5(13.7)days vs. 9.0(12.5)days, U=1.607, P=0.108) was not statistically significant. Furthermore,the median follow-up time after surgery was 25.6 months in both groups. In postoperative years 1,2,3 and 5, the graft survival rates were 88.1%,80.8%,77.8% and 66.7% in the whole liver transplantation group and 80.3%,70.3%,67.3% and 60.5% in the split liver transplantation group( P=0.171),respectively. The patient survival rates in post-operative years 1,2,3 and 5 were 88.1%,80.8%,77.8% and 66.7% in the whole liver transplantation group and 80.3%,75.9%,70.3% and 63.3% in the split liver transplantation group,respectively( P=0.252). However,the differences of graft survival rates and patient survival rates between the two groups were not significant. Conclusion:Although it affects the early recovery of patients after liver transplantation,split liver transplantation has no effect on long-term survival rates and demonstrates surgical efficacy similar to that of whole liver transplantation.

Objective:To investigate the surgical efficacy of split liver transplantation.Methods:Patients who underwent liver transplantation at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 2015 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into split liver transplantation group ( n=60) and whole liver transplantation group ( n=765)according to graft types.In the split liver transplantation group, there were 23 males and 37 females, aged (52.5±10.2) years, and the body mass index was (22.4±3.3) kg/m 2. In the whole liver transplantation group, there were 630 males and 135 females, aged (51.2±9.6) years, and body mass index was (24.5±3.7) kg/m 2.The basic data of the two groups were matched 1∶1 using the propensity score matching method. The independent sample t test and χ2 test were used to compare the intraoperative and postoperative recovery of the two groups of donors and recipients. The overall survival rate and the graft survival rate of the two groups were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and the cumulative survival rate was compared by the Log-rank test. Results:Fifty-one well-matched pairs of data with similar baseline characteristics were obtained. The ratio of graft mass to recipient body weight in the matched split liver transplantation group was (1.78±0.55)%. Operation time( M(IQR))(10.8(1.5)hours vs. 8.0(1.9)hours, U=6.608, P<0.01) and cold ischaemia time(5.4(1.3)hours vs. 4.6(2.2)hours, U=2.825, P=0.005) were significantly longer in the split liver transplantation group than those in the whole liver transplantation group. Intra-operative anhepatic phase(53.0(15.0)minutes vs. 57.0(24.0)minutes, U=1.048, P=0.295),bleeding volume(1 000(1 400)ml vs. 1 200(1 200)ml, U=0.966, P=0.334) and intraoperative instillation of red blood cells(9.0(6.5)U vs. 11.0(11.0)U, U=1.732, P=0.083) were not significantly different between the two groups. However,the split liver transplantation group showed significantly longer postoperative intensive care unit stay(5.0(3.0)days vs. 4.0(4.0)days, U=2.677, P=0.007) and postoperative hospital stay(30.0(15.0)days vs. 26.0(15.0)days, U=2.237, P=0.025) and significantly higher incidence of postoperative complications(56.8%(29/51) vs. 36.6%(19/51), χ2=3.935, P=0.047) than the whole liver transplantation group. Furthermore,levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly higher on postoperative days 1,4 and 7 in the split liver transplantation group(all P<0.05) than in the whole liver transplantation group;however,there were no significant differences in these levels on postoperative days 14 and 28. The time to restoration of normal liver function in both groups(12.5(13.7)days vs. 9.0(12.5)days, U=1.607, P=0.108) was not statistically significant. Furthermore,the median follow-up time after surgery was 25.6 months in both groups. In postoperative years 1,2,3 and 5, the graft survival rates were 88.1%,80.8%,77.8% and 66.7% in the whole liver transplantation group and 80.3%,70.3%,67.3% and 60.5% in the split liver transplantation group( P=0.171),respectively. The patient survival rates in post-operative years 1,2,3 and 5 were 88.1%,80.8%,77.8% and 66.7% in the whole liver transplantation group and 80.3%,75.9%,70.3% and 63.3% in the split liver transplantation group,respectively( P=0.252). However,the differences of graft survival rates and patient survival rates between the two groups were not significant. Conclusion:Although it affects the early recovery of patients after liver transplantation,split liver transplantation has no effect on long-term survival rates and demonstrates surgical efficacy similar to that of whole liver transplantation.

Objective:To explore the impact of donor cold ischemia time(CIT)on early recovery after liver transplantation(LT).Methods:From January 2016 to December 2020, the relevant clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 456 LT recipients.According to the value of CIT of donor liver, they were assigned into two groups of CIT >5 h and CIT≤5 h. T, Mann-Whitney U or Chi square test was employed for statistical processing.Intraoperative findings and liver function(LF)parameters of two groups were compared, including operative duration, intraoperative volume of hemorrhage, erythrocyte transfusion and anhepatic phase.LF parameters included alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and total bilirubin(TB)within Day 1-7 post-LT.Postoperative recovery was evaluated by postoperative stay of intensive care unit(ICU), normalization time of liver function recovery, length of postoperative hospitalization and incidence of postoperative complications.Results:Among them, 407(89.3%)patients underwent classic orthotopic LT.Median CIT of donor liver was 309 min.In CIT≤5 h and CIT >5 h groups, operative duration was[(446.3+ 76.8)vs.(526.0+ 98.1)min], anhepatic phase time[(51.9+ 13.3)vs.(62.6+ 18.9)min]and intraoperative volume of erythrocyte transfusion[(7.3+ 5.8)vs.(10.0+ 6.87)U]. And the differences were statistically significant( P<0.001, 0.001 & 0.001). Postoperative hospitalization stay was longer[(29.1±15.9)vs.(27.1±13.0)]day.And the incidence of postoperative complications was higher in CIT >5 h group[22.7%(54/238)vs.12.4%(27/218)]. And the difference was statistically significant( P=0.045 & 0.004). As compared with CIT≤5 h group, ALT, AST & TB spiked in CIT >5 h group at Day 1 post-operation and the differences were statistically significant( P=0.002, P<0.001, P=0.001). In CIT >5 h group, ALT rose at Day 2/5/6/7 post-LT( P=0.026, 0.026, 0.015 & 0.011), AST jumped from Days 2-6( P=0.002, 0.004, 0.035, 0.029 and 0.019)and TB increased from Days 2-7 post-LT and the differences were statistically significant( P=0.003, 0.014, 0.030, 0.039, 0.027 & 0.009). LF recovered at CIT≤5 h and CIT>5 h group[(10.0±3.2)vs.(10.7±3.3)day]. There were significantly statistical differences( P=0.044). Conclusions:Non-conducive to patient recovery, prolonged cold ischemic time aggravates early LF injury post-LT.

Objective To evaluate the effect of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)/ cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (Caspase)-1/Gasdermin D (GSDMD) signaling axis-mediated hepatocyte pyroptosis on liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the sham operation group (Sham group), IRI 2 h group, IRI 6 h group, IRI 12 h group, glycyrrhizic acid (GA)+Sham group and GA+IRI 12 h group (n=8 in each group). AML12 cells were evenly divided into the Sham group, IRI 12 h group, GA+Sham group and GA+IRI 12 h group. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in each group were detected by enzyme-linked immune absorbent assay(ELISA). The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of IL-1β and IL-6 were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The pathological score of liver ischemia and cell apoptosis were compared among all groups. The expression level of HMGB1 in the liver tissues of each group was determined by immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of HMGB1, Caspase-1 and GSDMD proteins in the mouse liver tissues and AML12 cells were measured by Western blot. Results Compared with the Sham group, the serum levels of ALT, AST, IL-1β and IL-6 and the relative expression levels of IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in the liver tissues were all significantly up-regulated after IRI in each group (all P < 0.05), and showed significant time-dependent pattern along with the prolongation of reperfusion time. Compared with the Sham group, the pathological score of hepatic ischemia and the apoptosis rate of hepatocytes were significantly increased after IRI in each group (all P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression level of HMGB1 in the liver tissues was significantly up-regulated after IRI, which showed an increasing trend along with the prolongation within the period of 2-12 h. Western blot showed that compared with the Sham group, the relative expression levels of HMGB1, Caspase-1 and GSDMD proteins in vivo and in vitro were up-regulated in the IRI 12 h group. The relative expression level of HMGB1 protein was significantly up-regulated, whereas those of Caspase-1 and GSDMD proteins were significantly down-regulated in the GA+IRI 12 h group compared with those in the IRI 12 h group (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Hepatocytes probably activate the Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway by releasing HMGB1, thereby triggering hepatocyte pyroptosis and leading to liver IRI. Inhibition of extracellular release of HMGB1 by GA may mitigate liver IRI.

Objective:To study the influencing factors of liver regeneration and their prognostic impact after split liver transplantation.Methods:The clinical data of 44 patients who underwent split liver transplantation at the Organ Transplant Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2015 to July 2021 were analysed. There were 19 males and 25 females, aged (49±12) years old. Based on whether the liver regeneration rate (LRR) was greater than 100%, these patients were divided into the good regeneration group (LRR≥100%, n=24) and the poor regeneration group (LRR<100%, n=20). The differences in the perioperative data and postoperative survival rates between the two groups were compared. The patients were followed up by outpatient reexamination or telephone. Results:On days 15, 30, 90, and 180 after operation, the volume change rates in the transplanted liver were (117.04±7.00)%, (164.03±16.72)%, (180.98±26.30)%, (159.40±26.28)%, respectively. The body mass index, anhepatic period, intraoperative bleeding, intraoperative blood transfusion, hospitalization time, recovery time of liver function, fatty degeneration of donor liver and type of donor liver were the influencing factors of liver regenera-tion after split liver transplantation. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase on the days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 after operation in the group of patient with good regeneration were significantly lower than those in the group of patient with poor regeneration ( P<0.05). The levels of total bilirubin in the group of patient with good regeneration was significantly lower than those in the group of patient with poor regeneration on days 5, 6 and 7 after operation ( P<0.05). The portal vein flow per 100 g of liver mass in the good regeneration group was significantly better than the poor regeneration group on day 1 and 30 after operation. The 6-month cumulative survival rates of the good regeneration group and the poor regeneration group were 95.8% and 70.0% respectively, and the difference was significant ( P=0.017). Conclusions:Body mass index, anhepatic period, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion, hospitalization time, recovery time of liver function, fatty degeneration of donor liver and type of donor liver were the influencing factors of liver regeneration after split liver transplantation. The prognosis of recipients with poor liver regeneration was significantly worse than recipients with good liver regeneration.