Objective To investigate the clinical significance of ligating the portasystemic shunt confirmed by preoperative CT evaluation during orthotopic liver transplantation. Methods From January 2007 to August 2008, 35 patients in Tianjin First Central Hospital underwent preoperative three-dimensional CT scan, among them 23 patients had spontaneous major portasystemic shunts, the other 12 patients did not have portasystemic shunts. 16 out of the 23 cases with significant shunts underwent shunt ligation based on portal blood flow volume measured by intraoperative portal vein flowmetry. The shunt of the other 7 patients were left untreated. Results The portal blood flow in the 12 patients without portasystemic shunt as judged by preoperative CT scanning were (1101±70) ml/min. The shunts in 7 patients with portal blood flow greater than 1000 ml/min were not ligated, that of the 16 patients with portal blood flow volume lower than 1000 mL/min were ligated. The portal blood flow volume in those 16 patients before and after ligating the shunt were (657±112) m//min and (1136±161) ml/min, respectively (P<0.05). Postoperatively 2 patients suffered from portal vein thrombosis, among them 1 patient suffered from intermittent disturbance of consciousness, 2 patients died within 3 months, with one dying of respiratory failure from pulmonary aspergillus infection one dying of hepatic failure in 2 months after operation because of graft dysfunction.The other 19 patients with normal blood flow and well-functioning graft were alive. Conclusion The ligation of portasystemic shunt is mandatory in patients when pretransplant CT evaluation showing a major porto-systemic shunts and portal blood flow volume was less than 1000 ml/min.

Objective To evaluate the influence of L-ornithine-L-aspartate (LOLA) on model for end stage liver disease(MELD) score and liver function of patients with chronic liver failure (CLF). Methods Sixty patients consecutively admitted to our hospital from May, 2002 and November, 2008 were enrolled into the study and randomly divided into low dose group (LD group, LOLA:10 g/d) and high dose group (HD group, LOLA :20 g/d)After treatment of LOLA, the clinical data ( serum NH3 , MELD score and liver function ) were compared between the two groups. Results Compared to serum NH3 level before treatment, serum NH3 decreased ( 62.59 + 27.87 )μmoL/L in the HD group and (49.36 + 27.34 ) μmol/L in the LD group, and both decreasements were statistical significant (Ps ＜ 0. 05 ). Compared to MELD before treatment, MELD score decreased ( 8.38 ± 2. 24 ) and ( 14.57 + 7.68), respectively ( Ps ＜ 0.05 ). Compared to LD group, all indices of liver function in the HD group improved more compared to those of the LD group ( Ps ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusions LOLA could significantly decrease serum NH3 and MELD score and improve liver function in CLF patients.

Objective To explore the treatment of ABO-incompatible orthotopic liver transplantation. Methods Nine cases of ABO-incompatible liver transplantation performed in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Plasma exchange was done before the operation in 1 case. Hepatic artery and biliary duct anastomosis were performed by the microvascular technique. Splenectomy was done during operation in 5 cases. The immunosuppressive protocol included a quadruple drug therapy. Blood oxygen saturation was maintained above 95% and anticoagulant therapy was performed after operation.Results Four patients recovered smoothly without complications. Postoperative complications included acute rejection in 3 patients and biliary nonanastomotic stricture in 4. Three patients died. Conclusion ABO-incompatible orthotopic liver transplantation can be used when the graft is scarce, and should manage to decrease the complications.

Objective To investigate the impacts of preoperative portal vein thrombosis (PVT) on intraoperative or postoperative parameters in patients receiving orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Methods The clinical data of 836 patients undergoing OLT in our hospital from February 2002 to February 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 836 patients, 71 had preoperative PVT (PVT group) and the other 765 had not (control group). Intraoperative patameters (operative dura-tion, anhepatic phase duration, blood transfusion volume) and postoperative parameters (ICU stay and hospitalization time, portal rethrombosis posttransplantation, graft function, portal vein flow, death rate in perioperation and 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate) were compared between the 2 groups. Results The operative duration and anheptic phase duration were significantly higher in the PVT group than in the control (792. 47±62. 29 min vs 516. 18±86. 30 min, P<0. 01, 77. 53±24. 76 min vs 48. 55±31. 20 min, P<0. 05). Perioperative blood transfusion volume, average ICU stay and hospitalization duration were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The incidence of postoperative portal rethrombosis was remarkably higher in PVT group than in the control (9. 86% vs 1. 44% , P<0. 01).No significant differences in the graft function and portal vein flow (PVF) between the 2 groups except for a higher PVF in the PVT group on the 90th d(41. 43±17. 19 vs 19. 85±11. 39, P<0. 05). We noticed slightly higher death rate in perioperative and lower 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate in the PVT group. Conclusion Preoperative PVT can gain the same favorable outcomes as in those without PVT in spite of readily intraoperative complex.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of tertiary liver transplantation.Methods The clinical data of 4 patients with hepatobiliary disease who were admitted to the General Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces from April 2002 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.All the patients received orthotopic liver transplantation,and received tacrolimus + mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) + hormone after operation.All the patients were followed up till May 2014,and their prognosis was learned.The measurement data were analyzed using the t test.Results Three patients with benign hepatic disease received tertiary liver transplantation due to biliary complications and chronic rejection,and 1 patient with hepatic cancer received tertiary liver transplantation because of hepatic cancer recurrence.The average interval between the primary and secondary liver transplantation was 16.0 months,which was shorter than 22.5 months of the interval between the secondary and tertiary liver transplantation.The mean operation time in the secondary liver transplantation was (11.4 ± 1.0)hours,which was significantly shorter than (14.1 ± 2.2) hours in the tertiary liver transplantation (t =3.644,P ＜ 0.05).The median volumes of blood loss in the secondary and tertiary liver transplantation were 1 300 mL and 1 800 mL,and the median volumes of blood transfusion were 1 400 mL and 3 100 mL.The hepatic function of the 4 patients recovered smoothly at the early time after liver transplantation.Two patients (3 cases) were complicated with infection postoperatively (1 patient was infected by pseudomonas aeruginosa within 30 days after liver transplantation,and was cured by active antimicrobial treatment),and they were cured after anti-infectional treatment.One patient died of hepatic failure at the 80th month after the primary liver transplantation,1 died of hepatic cancer recurrence complicated by pulmonary,bone and retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis at the 107th month after the primary liver transplantation,and the other 2 patients survived for 104 months and 26 months after the primary liver transplantation,respectively.Conclusion Tertiary liver transplantation is effective for the treatment of biliary complications and chronic rejection after liver transplantation,and it can extend the life span of patients with hepatic cancer recurrence if there are insufficient donor resources.

BACKGROUND:The establishment of a standardized clinical liver transplantation specimen bank is the primary condition for scientific research in this field, which can help to provide a qualified sample resource platform for research. OBJECTIVE:To primarily establish biological specimen bank of hepatocelular carcinoma for liver transplantation, to explore the standardized procedures of specimen colection, processing and preservation of hepatocelular carcinoma for liver transplantation, and to establish the sound and comprehensive information management system of clinical information of colected specimens. METHODS: In accordance with standardized procedures to establish biological specimen banks, the operational processes and quality control system were formulated. Liver tissue and blood samples of hepatocelular carcinoma recipients undergoing liver transplantation were regularly colected, managed and stored. Simultaneously, liver tissue and blood samples of benign liver disease in liver transplant recipients and of healthy donor were colected as controls. A systematic management was conducted in colected specimens and corresponding clinical information. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:From August 2009, tissue and blood samples of 501 cases of receipts and donors undergoing liver transplantation with complete clinical information were colected from the specimen bank, including 203 hepatocelular carcinoma specimens, 214 benign liver disease specimens and 84 healthy donor specimens. These specimens included tumor tissue, adjacent tissues and distal non-cancerous tissue specimens, totaly 1 773. A total of 45 specimens were randomly selected for quality monitoring. The colected specimens had a high quality. Specimen information data computer management system was developed. This study initialy established a standardized research-based clinical transplantation specimen bank, which is helpful to elevate sample quality and has a good manipuility.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of retransplantation for intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation (LT).Methods In a center hospital of organ transplantation setting,9 patients after primary liver transplantation had intrahepatic recurrence and received retransplantation,and 12 patients in control group were not subjected to LT over the same period.The follow-up period was 10 to 58 months.Results As compared the pathological characteristics of secondary transplanted liver with primary thansplanted liver,there was significant difference in tumor differentiation (grade Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ)between primary group (33％,67％ and 0) and secondary group (22％,22％ and 56％) (P＜0.01).After primary liver transplantation,median of tumor free survival was 15.0 months.After secondary liver transplantation,median of survival was 5.8 months,and median of tumor free survival was 2.5 months.In control group,median of tumor free survival was 13.0 months,and total survival survival was 17.6 months.In transplantation group and control group,1-,2-,and 3-year cumulative survival rate was 89％,44％,33％ and 91％,45％,9％ respectively,with the difference being not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion It is high risk of vascular invasion for tumor recurrence.The differentiation grade of recurrent tumor is lower.The sign of intrahepatic recurrence of HCC after liver transplantation may be early and local clinical characteristics of tumor cell disseminating and metastasis before and during operation,and it is not recommended to perform retransplantation.

Objective To study the efficacy of peg-interferon plus ribavirin treatment for hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation.Methods The clinical data of 16 patients with hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation were collected from June 2002 to March 2012 in our hospital.Results There were 1620 patients receiving liver transplantation.66 of these patients received the treatment because of hepatitis C related diseases.16 of the 66 patients received peg-interferon plus ribavirin treatment after liver transplantation.The hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA concentrations of all the 16 patients were detected.Twelve of the 16 patients were negative for HCV RNA,and the HCV RNA concentration was reduced by more than 2 log after treatment for 12 weeks in 2 cases.The early viral response (EVR) was 87.5％.The HCV RNA of all the 16 patients became negative after treatment for 24 weeks.Conclusion The EVR was high (87.5％) among patients who received peg-interferon plus ribavirin treatment after liver transplantation,and the combination therapy with interferon plus ribavirin was safe and effective for hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation.

Objective To probe the correlation between preoperative pulmonary dysfunction and postoperative pulmonary complications in patients of orthotopic liver transplantation. Methods From August 2008 to June 2009, 71 orthotopic liver transplantation patients were studied. Preoperative pulmonary function and its relationship with postoperative pulmonary complications were analyzed.Results Preoperatively 65 out of 71 patients had abnormal lung functions, suffering from pulmonary diffusing capacity reduction (65 cases, 91.5% ), followed by reduction of restrictive ventilation function (30 cases, 42. 2% ), small airway function reduction ( 28 cases, 39.4% ), and obstructive ventilatory function reduction (21 cases, 29. 6% ). The incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications was 56. 3% including: pulmonary atelectasis, pneumonia, acute respiratory failure. The incidence of posttransplantation pulmonary complications in patients with pulmonary restrictive or obstructive ventilation function reduction was higher than in normal group (x2 = 6.703, P= 0.010; x2 = 4.768, P = 0.029), and there was significant difference in pulmonary complication rate between groups of moderate and severe diffusing capacity reduction and mild reduction and normal range (x2 = 8.478, P = 0.004 ).Conclusions Preoperative pulmonary function abnormality in patients before liver transplantation such as pulmonary ventilatory function reduction (VCmax ＜ 80% or FEV1.0 ＜ 80% ) and moderate to severe pulmonary diffusing capacity reduction (TLCOSB ＜ 60% ) predicts higher incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications.

Objective To evaluate the outcomes of liver transplant recipients who received liver grafts from HBsAg positive donors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma beyond UCSF (University of California,San Francisco) Criteria.Method The medical records of patients who underwent HBsAg-positive donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma beyond UCSF Criteria from October 2008 to December 2012 at our hospital were analyzed retrospectively,including the existence status of HBV,graft function,tumor recurrence,and the survival after transplantation.Result A total of 20 patients were enrolled in the study.One patient lost follow-up while the remaining 19 patients had complete follow-up data.All the patients were followed up until June 2013,with a median follow-up duration of 12 months (range 2-57 months).One patient died from postoperative abdominal bleeding and multiple organ failure at post-transplantative day 21.Five patients survived up to now,including 4 cases with disease-free survival,who has been surviving for 57,35,26 and 12 months respectively.The remaining all 14 patients died from tumor recurrence at different time points after transplantation.Entecavir was used alone in 19 patients and Entecavir combined with Adefovir dipivoxilalone were used as anti-HBV therapy in the recipients.At posttransplant day 45,all the recipients were positive for serum HBsAg and negative for serum HBVDNA,and the liver enzymatic criteria,coagulation criteria and the serum bilirubin restored to normal levels or within twice the upper limit of normal levels.Throughout the follow-up period,recipients were all positive for serum HBsAg,but there was no recurrence of hepatitis B.The 1-,2-,3-and 4-year cumulative survival rate was 48.0％,35.0％,18.7％ and 18.7％ respectively.Conclusion The HBsAg positive liver may be used as a donor in liver transplantation and the graft probably works well after the operation.Liver transplantation may prolong the survival and improve the quality of life,even achieve long-term disease-free survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma beyond UCSF Criteria.The use of nucleotide analogue only,instead of combination with hepatitis B immune globulin,can also bring HBV well under control in liver transplant recipients with HBsAg positive donors.