Objective To describe the feasibility of biliary reconstruction methods and to explore the preventing and curing methods for biliary complications. Methods A total of 77 cases of living donor liver transplantation were included in our study for retrospective analysis. The operation types included right lobe contain middle hepatic vein (n=29), right lobe without middle hepatic vein (n=45), left lobe (n=1) and left lateral lobe transplantation (n=1). The biliary reconstruction was performed by duct-to-duct and Roux-en-Y epaticojejunostomy. Results Fifty-four grafts had 1 bile duct and 23 had multiple ones. The duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction was performed for 75 adult cases and T-tube drainage was used in 63 patients. Meanwhile, the conventional Roux-en-Y epaticojejunostomy was utilized for 2 pediatric patients. Total biliary complication incidence was 36.4% (28/77) and the complications included bile leakage (10.4%, 8/77) and biliary stricture (26.0%, 20/77).The rate of biliary complication was remarkably different between single hepatic duct group and multiple group (P<0.05). All the 8 patients suffering from bile leakage were cured by percutaneous bile drainage guided by ultrasound. By percutaneous balloon cholangioplasty and placing stent through the T-tube tract or endoscopic retrograde balloon cholangioplasty, the liver function of biliary stricture cases got better and most cases were cured. Conclusion Protecting the blood supply of bile duct at the cutting surface and harvesting one bile duct stump as much as possible can reduce biliary complication effectively. Radiate intervention treatment such as percutaneous balloon cholangioplasty and endoscope treatment etc. are effective for treatment of biliary complications.

Objective To analyze and evaluate the efficacy of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and deceased
donor liver transplantation (DDLT). Methods The clinical data of prognosis and influencing factors of 320 children with liver transplantation were analyzed retrospectively. The 320 children were divided into LDLT group (n=252) and DDLT group (n=68) based on their operation styles. In LDLT group, all donors to recipients were immediate relatives within three generation. In DDLT group, all livers were obtained from cardiac death or brain death donors. The survival and incidence of complications were observed between two groups. Results The 1-year, 2-year and 3-year cumulative survival rates for recipients were 95.1%, 93.5% and 93.5% in LDLT group, and 92.3%, 92.3% and 82.4% in LDLT group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (Log-rank χ2=0.69,P=0.41). During the follow-up period,14 cases died (5.56%) in LDLT group, in which 8 deaths due to respiratory complication, 3 deaths due to multiple organ failure, and 3 deaths due to graft failure. In DDLT donor group, 5 cases died (7.35%), in which 1 death due to respiratory complication, 2 deaths due to multiple organ failure, 1 death due to intra-abdominal hemorrhage, and 1 case of unknown cause of death. There were no significant differences in portal vein thrombosis (PVT), outflow tract obstruction, biliary tract complications and pulmonary infection between the two groups (P>0.05). The ratio of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) was lower in LDLT group than that of DDLT group (1.98%vs. 10.29%,χ2=10.245,P<0.01). Conclusion Living donor liver transplantation is an effective method to treat end-stage liver disease.

Objective:To study the clinical course and underlying causes of early severe neurological complication (ESNC) after pediatric liver transplantation.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 309 pediatric liver transplantation recipients treated at Tianjin First Central Hospital from January 2018 to December 2018. ESNC occurred in 15 patients (4.8%, 15/309) within 1 month after liver transplantation. There were 7 males and 8 females, aged from 6 to 46 months. Liver transplantation was carried out for biliary atresia ( n=12), fulminant liver failure ( n=1), Niemann-Pick disease ( n=1) and Alagille syndrome ( n=1). The causes of ESNC and the prognosis were analyzed. Results:The onset of ESNC was 10.7 (0-28) d after liver transplantation. Twelve patients developed encephalopathy with epilepsy in 2 patients. Four of these patients were caused by severe infection, 4 by heart failure combined with respiratory failure which led to ischemic hypoxic encephalopathy, 2 by transplant liver failure, 1 by intracranial infection, and 1 by severe brain swelling which led to brain death. Epilepsy occurred in 3 patients, 2 caused by neurotoxicity of calcineurin inhibitors, and 1 caused by reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome. Three children with ESNC died after operation, including 1 brain death, 1 due to severe heart failure and 1 due to severe infection.Conclusions:ESNC occurred in 4.8% of patients which seriously affected long-term prognosis of patients. Measures to reduce the incidence of ESNC include prevention of postoperative infection and drug toxicity, and good control of cardiac insufficiency.

Objective:To evaluate the role of ferroptosis in lung injury in a rat model of autologous orthotopic liver transplantation.Methods:Twenty-four healthy adult SPF-grade male rats, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 230-270 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=8 each) using the random number table method: sham operation group (S group), autologous in situ liver transplantation group (LT group) and ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostain-1 group (LT+ Fer-1 group). In LT group and LT+ Fer-1 group, an autologous in situ liver transplantation model was developed in anesthetized animals, and Ferrostain-1 5 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 30 min before surgery in LT+ Fer-1 group. The inferior vena cava blood samples were obtained at 6 h of reperfusion, then animals were sacrificed, and lung tissues were obtained. The morphology of lung tissues was examined, and the lung injury was scored. The serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and contents of MDA, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase4 (GPX4), and Fe 2+ in lung tissues were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 recombinant protein (SLC7A11) was determined by Western blot. Results:Compared with S group, the lung injury, serum MDA concentration, and contents of MDA and Fe 2+ were significantly increased, the contents of GSH and GPX4 were decreased, and the expression of FTH1 and SLC7A11 was down-regulated in LT group ( P<0.05). Compared with LT group, the lung injury, serum MDA concentration, and contents of MDA and Fe 2+ were significantly decreased, the contents of GSH and GPX4 were increased, and the expression of FTH1 and SLC7A11 was up-regulated in LT+ Fer-1 group ( P< 0.05). Conclusions:Ferroptosis is involved in the pathophysiology of lung injury in a rat model of autologous orthotopic liver transplantation.

Objective To explore the effectiveness of octreotide therapeutic strategy to attenuate portal hyperperfusion resulted from small-for-size graft in infant liver transplantation.Methods A total of 22 infants received small-for-size liver graft (defined as GV/SLV＜0.5,and GV＜ 150 g) in our hospital from December 2013 to August 2016.Twelve cases (octreotide group) were treated with intravenous octreotide infusion (300 g daily for 24-96 h) to attenuate the portal hyperperfusion after transplantation,and the rest 10 cases given liver transplantation at the early stage did not receive the intervention of octreotide and served as control group.Results The initial portal vein flows (PVFs) in octreotide group and control group were (413.43 ± 76.24) (390.83 ± 107.89) ml/(min 100 g),and there was no significant difference between two groups (P＞0.05).The PVFs on postoperative day (POD) 3 and POD5 in octreotide group and control group were (334.90 ± 96.67) and (441.04 ± 117.41),and (322.20 ± 81.04) and (423.23 ± 100.81) mL/(min 100 g) respectively (P＜0.05 for all).However,there were no significant differences in serum AST and bilirubin levels at four time points (initial,POD3,POD5 and POD7) after transplantation between two groups (P＞0.05).The incidence of hepatic artery occlusion,and biliary complications in octreotide group and ontrol group was 33.33％ and 44.44％,and 33.33％ and 11.11％ respectively (P ＞ 0.05 for all).Conclusion Octreotide treatment attenuated portal hyperperfusion resulted from small-for-size graft in infant liver transplantation.However,the effects of octreotide therapy on graft biochemical tests,the hepatic artery and biliary complications were still unclear,and further investigation is needed.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with de-novo non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (de-novo NAFLD) and patients with de-novo NAFLD combined with metabolic syndrome (MS) after liver transplantation (LT) , and to determine the related risk factors.Methods:Patients who underwent LT at the Organ Transplantation Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, from Jan. 2016 to Oc. 2020 and were monitored until Oct. 2021 were gathered. The recipients were divided into the group with/without de-novo NAFLD, and LT recipients with de-novo NAFLD were divided into the group with/without combined MS. Clinical characteristics of the LT recipients with de-novo NAFLD combined with MS were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for LT recipients with de-novo NAFLD and those with combined MS.Results:A total of 324 LT recipients with a median follow-up of 2.9 years (range: 2.0-4.3 years) were included in the study. De-novo NAFLD was diagnosed in 21.0% (68/324) of the LT recipients, and MS was diagnosed in 44.1% (30/68) of these patients. Compared with LT recipients without de-novo NAFLD, those with de-novo NAFLD had higher preoperative body mass index (BMI) , blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin levels and lower platelet levels, and longer postoperative follow-up, higher BMI, waist circumference, albumin, triglycerides (TG) , low-density lipoprotein (LDL) , blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin levels, and the incidence of MS (all P<0.05) . Preoperative platelets, glucose, postoperative albumin, LDL and BMI were independent risk factors for predicting de-novo NAFLD after LT (all P<0.05) . Preoperative glucose performed well in predicting the occurrence of de-novo NAFLD (threshold: 5.5mmol/L, P<0.001, AUC=0.678) . The differences in Pre-LT blood glucose, post-LT BMI, waist circumference, prevalence of prediabetes or diabetes, fatty liver index (FLI) , and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) between de-novo NAFLD LT recipients with and without combined MS were significantly different (all P<0.05) . Conclusions:The incidence of de-novo NAFLD after LT is noteworthy, and LT recipients with de-novo NAFLD are more likely to have a combination with MS. In preoperative treatment, keeping blood glucose to 5.5 mmol/L or below trends helps to lower the risk of de-novo NAFLD following LT. LT recipients’ nutritional state and lipid levels require prompt care. High albumin levels might not be a desirable thing. De-novo NAFLD LT recipients with concomitant prediabetes or diabetes may imply an increased risk of developing comorbid MS during the post-LT follow-up. Controlling FLI levels in LT recipients with de-novo NAFLD may reduce the risk of developing comorbid MS.

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 relationship between psoas muscle index (PMI) and early postoperative survival rate and the incidence of complications after liver transplantation in adults. Methods: The clinical data of 225 patients (male, n=184; female, n=41) underwent liver transplantation at the Organ Transplantation Department of First Central Clinic Institute of Tianjin Medical University from January 2014 to December 2016 were analyzed, retrospectively.Original disease: hepatitis B liver cirrhosis(44 cases), hepatitis C cirrhosis(10 cases), autoimmune liver cirrhosis(29 cases), other benign liver diseases(24 cases), liver cirrhosis with liver cancer(116 cases), hilar cholangiocarcinoma(1 case) and hepatic vascular sarcoma(1 case). The area of bilateral psoas muscle on the lower edge level of the third lumbar vertebral body was measured through preoperative CT image.The PMI was calculated using this formula: bilateral psoas muscle area (mm²)/the square of the body height (m²). According to the receiver operating characteristic curve and cut-off values, the male and female patients were divided into low PMI group and high PMI group respectively.The χ² test, Fisher exact test and t-test was used to compare the differences in perioperative data, survival rate and postoperative complications between the two groups, respectively. Results: There were 44 patients in the low PMI group, and 181 patients in the high PMI group. ICU time was longer (82.5(62.0-128.0) hours vs.69.1(56.0-104.0) hours; P=0.006) and preoperative blood urea nitrogen level (5.86(4.35-15.52) mmol/L vs. 4.94(4.05-7.06) mmol/L; P=0.012) was higher in the low PMI group than those in the high PMI group. Incidence rates of grade 5 complication (18.2%) and grade 4a complication (18.2%) were higher in the low PMI group, and 120-day cumulative survival rate was lower than that in high PMI group(81.8% vs. 95.6%, P=0.001). On the other hand, there were no significant differences in preoperative white blood cell count level, serum creatinine level, operative time, anhepatic period time, intraoperative blood loss, and incidence of postoperative grade 3 complications between the two groups(all P>0.05). Conclusions There is a significant correlation between PMI and early postoperative survival rate and incidence of complications.Patients with lower PMI has poor prognosis after liver transplantation.

Objective To discuss the surgical strategy for children with complex congenital heart disease (CHD) and end-stage liver disease (ESLD).Methods We reported two eases of pediatric liver transplantation in patients with complex CHD and ESLD.Medical data including operation procedure,ICU management and outcomes were reviewed retrospectively.Also we reviewed the literature on the topic of clinical outcomes resulted from different surgery options.Results The first case was a seven-month-old male patient with biliary atresia and complex CHD (unroofed coronary sinus syndrome,persistent left superior vena cava,patent foramen ovale,and peripheral pulmonary stenosis).Liver transplantation was successfully performed without corrective heart surgery.The operation time was 6 h and 35 min.The patient suffered acute cardiac dysfunction and significant hypoxemia after extubation,then pneumonia developed,and eventually the patient died on post-operative day 12.The second case was a seven-month-old male patient with biliary atresia and complex CHD (ventricular septal defect,patent foramen ovale,patent ductus arteriosus,pulmonary stenosis).Liver transplantation was performed on the same day following total correction of cardiac defects by open-heart surgery.The operation time was 16 h and 15 min.The patient was extubated after 60 h ventilation,and was transferred to ward from ICU on post-operative day 6 with stable cardiopulmonary function.However,hepatic artery occlusion occurred on early postoperative stage,and consequently the patient received the second liver transplantation for ischemic biliary complication on post-operative day 40.The second liver transplantation procedure was uneventful.The liver graft recovered smoothly with stable hemodynamics.Conclusion Children with complex CHD undergoing liver transplantation are at an increased perioperative risk.The surgical strategy for each patient must be tailored individually according to specific cardiovascular status and limited hepatic reserve.

Objective:To investigate the effect of fluid resuscitation and circulatory support, directed by different target mean arterial pressure (MAP), on abdominal blood flow, gastrointestinal function and inflammatory response in septic shock patients with hypertension.Methods:A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. Hypertensive patients with septic shock admitted to the department of intensive care unit (ICU) of Liuzhou People's Hospital from January 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 were enrolled. Patients were randomly divided into the low MAP groups (low standard group, LS group) or high MAP group (high standard group, HS group). According to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines in 2016 and the updated guideline in 2018, all patients were given treatment of primary disease, fluid resuscitation, supportive management. The target MAP was 65-70 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) in LS group, and was 75-80 mmHg in HS group. Acute gastrointestinal function injury (AGI) classification was performed on the 1st, 3rd and 7th day. The mean flow rate (Vm) and resistance index (RI) of superior mesenteric artery were evaluated using ultrasound, and the gastrointestinal function was dynamically evaluated using the modified single section ultrasonic gastric antrum method. The gastric antrum movement index (MI) and gastric empaging time (GET) were recorded. The levels of inflammatory markers in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The target MAP, the days of use of vasopressors and the amount of fluid resuscitation were recorded.Results:A total of 208 hypertensive patients with septic shock were enrolled, including 109 in the LS group and 99 in the HS group. There were no significant differences in gender, age, acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ (APACHEⅡ) score and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score between the two groups when diagnosed. After treatment, there was no significant difference in AGI classification between the LS group and HS group on the 1st day. On the 3rd and 7th day, there were statistical differences between the two groups (3rd day: proportion of Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ grades were 25.69%, 56.88%, 11.93%, 5.50% in LS group, 15.15%, 54.55%, 25.25%, 5.05% in HS group, respectively, χ 2 = 7.900, P = 0.048; 7rd day: proportion of Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ grades were 44.96%, 49.54%, 3.67%, 1.83% in LS group, 31.31%, 52.53%, 11.11%, 5.05% in HS group, respectively, χ 2 = 8.178, P = 0.042). The Vm of superior mesenteric artery was higher and the RI was lower in the LS group than those in the HS group on day 1, 3 and 7 [Vm (cm/s): 21.72±3.02 vs. 19.50±2.83, 20.42±2.62 vs. 17.02±1.99, 26.52±2.70 vs. 22.47±4.03; RI: 0.86±0.05 vs. 0.92±0.04, 0.87±0.05 vs. 0.95±0.05, 0.81±0.03 vs. 0.85±0.03, all P < 0.01]. The MI was higher and the GET was shorter in the LS group than those in the HS group on day 3 and day 7 [MI: 3.00±0.33 vs. 2.60±0.29, 4.50±0.51 vs. 3.90±0.33; GET (minutes): 86.01±19.78 vs. 100.99±25.01, 71.00±16.37 vs. 84.98±20.18, all P < 0.01]. In addition, the levels of serum TNF-α, IL-6, PCT, VEGF were lower in the LS group than those in the HS group after 3 days of treatment [TNF-α (ng/L): 147.05±28.32 vs. 256.99±27.04, IL-6 (ng/L): 762.99±57.83 vs. 1 112.30±118.32, PCT (μg/L): 37.00±5.58 vs. 56.00±12.36, VEGF (ng/L): 123.00±19.78 vs. 167.01±21.55, all P < 0.05]. The target MAP was maintained at (68.02±4.71) mmHg in LS group, and (79.04±3.04) mmHg in HS group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P < 0.01). Compared with the HS group, the days of using vasopressors was shorter in LS group (days: 3.50±1.27 vs. 4.55±1.47), and the amountof fluid was reduced significantly (mL: 1 602.29±275.49 vs. 2 000.30±272.59, both P < 0.01). Conclusion:Maintaining a low target mean arterial pressure (65-70 mmHg) in hypertensive patients with septic shock can improve blood supply of superior mesenteric artery, protect the gastrointestinal function, reduce the level of inflammatory factors, and diminish the duration of using vasopressors and the amount of fluid.