BACKGROUND: Effective interventions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic require an understanding of patients' knowledge and perceptions that influence their behaviour. Our study assessed knowledge of COVID-19 among kidney transplant recipients and donors, hitherto unevaluated. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 325 kidney transplant recipients and 172 donors between 1 May 2020 and 30 June 2020. The survey questionnaire assessed knowledge levels of COVID-19, sociodemographic data, health status, psychosocial impact of COVID-19 and precautionary behaviours during the pandemic. RESULTS: The mean COVID-19 knowledge score of the study population was 7.5 (standard deviation: 2.2) out of 10. The mean score was significantly higher among kidney recipients compared to kidney donors (7.9 [1.9] vs. 6.7 [2.6]; P <0.001). Younger age (21-49 vs. ≥50 years) and higher education (diploma and higher vs. secondary and lower) were associated with significantly higher knowledge scores in donors, but not among recipients ( P -interactions ≤0.01). In both kidney recipients and donors, financial concerns and/or social isolation were associated with lower knowledge levels. CONCLUSIONS Concerted efforts are needed to improve COVID-19 knowledge in kidney transplant recipients and donors, particularly older donors, donors with lower education and patients with financial concerns or feelings of social isolation. Intensive patient education may mitigate the impact of education levels on COVID-19 knowledge levels.
Humans ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Kidney Transplantation ; Middle Aged ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Transplant Recipients/psychology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tissue Donors/psychology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Young Adult ; Aged ; Pandemics

Organ transplantation, particularly pediatric liver transplantation (LT), has transformed medical practice over the past six decades, providing life-saving interventions for children with end-stage liver disease. This review demonstrated the historical milestones of pediatric organ transplantation, emphasizing Japan's contributions, mainly through the National Center for Child Health and Development. While early transplantation efforts in the 1950s and 1960s faced significant challenges, breakthroughs in preservation methods, immunosuppressive therapies, surgical techniques, and innovations such as living donor LT in Asia have greatly improved success rates. Japan's pediatric LT landscape is distinct, primarily due to its reliance on living donor LT, shaped by cultural and religious influences that have traditionally restricted deceased donor organ donation. This review manuscript discusses Japan's pioneering role in expanding the indications for pediatric LT to include rare conditions such as inherited metabolic disorders and hepatoblastoma. It highlights recent innovations such as hyper-reduced lateral segment grafts, machine perfusion, and minimally invasive surgery that have further improved outcomes. International collaboration has facilitated the sharing of expertise, advancing pediatric liver transplantation practice worldwide. Despite these achievements, challenges remain, particularly in light of Japan's declining birth rate, which threatens the sustainability of pediatric transplant services. This review emphasizes the need for centralized transplant facilities, greater awareness of brain-dead organ donation, and continued medical advances to ensure that pediatric LT remains a viable, life-saving option for future generations.
Humans ; Liver Transplantation/trends* ; Japan ; Child ; Living Donors

BACKGROUND: Pre-transplant exposure to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) significantly increases the risk of allograft rejection after liver transplantation (LT); however, whether ICI-related rejection leads to increased graft loss remains controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between ICI-related allograft rejection and perioperative graft loss. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of adult liver transplant recipients with early biopsy-proven T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) at Liver Transplantation Center of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital from June 2019 to September 2024. The pathological features, clinical characteristics, and perioperative graft survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients who underwent early TCMR between June 2019 and September 2024 were included. Based on pre-LT ICI exposure, recipients were categorized into ICI-related TCMR (irTCMR, n = 12) and conventional TCMR (cTCMR, n = 16) groups. Recipients with irTCMR had a higher median Banff rejection activity index (RAI) (6 vs . 5, P = 0.012) and more aggressive tissue damage and inflammation. Recipients with irTCMR showed higher proportion of treatment resistance, achieving a complete resolution rate of only 8/12 compared to 16/16 for cTCMR. Graft loss occurred in 5/12 of irTCMR recipients within 90 days after LT, with no graft loss in cTCMRs recipients. Cox analysis demonstrated that irTCMR with an ICI washout period of <30 days was an independent risk factor for perioperative graft loss (hazard ratio [HR], 6.540; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.067-40.067, P = 0.042). CONCLUSION IrTCMR is associated with severe pathological features, increased resistance to treatment, and higher graft loss in adult liver transplant recipients.
Humans ; Liver Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Graft Rejection/immunology* ; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Adult ; T-Lymphocytes/drug effects* ; Graft Survival/immunology* ; Aged

Liver transplantation is an effective treatment for end-stage liver disease. Liver transplantation is technically complex and associated with significant trauma. In recent years,minimally invasive surgical techniques,such as laparoscopy and robotic surgery,have rapidly developed and been widely applied across various surgical fields. Minimally invasive surgery offers advantages including reduced trauma,less bleeding,and faster postoperative recovery,and has become a mainstream trend in surgical development. In the field of liver transplantation,laparoscopic and robotic donor hepatectomy techniques for living donor liver transplantation have made significant progress. However, due to difficulties in exposing the anastomotic sites of the donor liver and challenges in vascular anastomosis,the application of minimally invasive techniques in donor liver implantation has progressed relatively slowly. With advancements in laparoscopic and robotic surgical techniques and related instruments,laparoscopic donor liver implantation has gradually become feasible. Currently,multiple liver transplant centers worldwide have begun to progressively perform laparoscopic or robot-assisted liver transplantation in recipients,demonstrating potential advantages in reducing surgical trauma and accelerating postoperative recovery. However,there is currently a lack of guidelines or consensus on the application of minimally invasive surgery in liver transplant recipients. Therefore,Branch of Organ Transplantation of Chinese Medical Association,Surgery Group of Chinese Society of Surgery of Chinese Medical Association,and Branch of Organ Transplant Physicians of Chinese Medical Doctor Association invited experts in the field to discuss clinical issues. Combining published guidelines,consensus statements,and research advancements,they formulated the "Technical guidelines for minimally invasive surgery in liver transplant recipients（2025）", aiming to provide reasonable guidance and references for clinical practitioners in the field of liver transplantation.
Humans ; Liver Transplantation/methods* ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Laparoscopy ; Robotic Surgical Procedures ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of posterior lateral perforator flap in lower limb combined with free fibula for maxillary tissue defect repair. METHODS: Between December 2018 and December 2023, 16 patients with the maxillary malignant tumors were admitted. There were 10 males and 6 females, with an average age of 64.3 years (range, 54-75 years). There were 7 cases of maxillary gingival cancer, 5 cases of hard palate cancer, and 4 cases of maxillary sinus cancer. According to the 2017 American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM stage, there were 8 cases of stage Ⅲ, 6 cases of stage Ⅳa, and 2 cases of stage Ⅳb. After resection of the lesion, the remaining maxillary defects were classified into class Ⅱa in 3 cases, class Ⅱb in 5 cases, and class Ⅲb in 8 cases according to Brown's classification. The size of soft tissue defects ranged from 4 cm×3 cm to 8 cm×6 cm. The posterior lateral perforator flap in lower limb in size of 5 cm×4 cm-9 cm×7 cm were harvested to repair soft tissue defects, and free fibula in length of 6-11 cm were used to repair bone defects. The donor sites of the lower limb were sutured directly (6 cases) or repaired with free skin grafting (10 cases). Six patients with positive lymph node pathology were treated with radiotherapy after operation. At 6 and 12 months after operation, the self-assessment was performed by the University of Washington Quality of Survival Questionnaire Form (QUW-4) in five dimensions (facial appearance, swallowing function, chewing function, speech function, and mouth opening), and swallowing function was evaluated by using the Kubota water swallowing test. RESULTS: Postoperative pathological examination showed that all patients were squamous cell carcinoma. One patient who was treated with radiotherapy developed osteomyelitis and 1 patient developed venous crisis of skin flap. The rest of the flaps and all skin grafts survived, and the wounds healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 1-5 years (mean, 2.8 years). Two patients died of local recurrence of the tumor at the 4th and 5th years after operation, respectively. Except for the chewing function score and total score at 6 months after operation, which showed significant differences compared to preoperative scores ( P<0.05), there was no significant difference in other QUW-4 scale scores between different time points ( P>0.05). The patients' swallowing function evaluated by Kubota water swallowing test reached normal in 4 cases, suspicious in 9 cases, and abnormal in 3 cases at 6 months after operation, and 10, 6, and 0 cases at 12 months after operation, respectively. The swallowing function at 12 months was significantly better than that at 6 months ( Z=-2.382, P=0.017). CONCLUSION The posterior lateral perforator flap in the lower limb combined with free fibula to repair maxillary tissue defects can repair soft and hard tissue defects at the same time, so that the patient's facial appearance, swallowing function, chewing function, speech function, and mouth opening are satisfactorily restored and the mid-term effectiveness is good.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Fibula/surgery* ; Aged ; Perforator Flap ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Maxilla/surgery* ; Maxillary Neoplasms/surgery* ; Free Tissue Flaps/transplantation* ; Lower Extremity/surgery* ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of delayed replantation of degloving skin preserved at 4℃ in treatment of limb degloving injuries. METHODS: Between October 2020 and October 2023, 12 patients with limb degloving injuries were admitted. All patients had severe associated injuries or poor wound conditions that prevented primary replantation. There were 7 males and 5 females; age ranged from 29 to 46 years, with an average of 39.2 years. The causes of injury included machine entanglement in 6 cases, traffic accidents in 5 cases, and sharp instrument cuts in 1 case. Time from injury to hospital admission was 0.5-3.0 hours, with an average of 1.3 hours. Injury sites included upper limbs in 7 cases and lower limbs in 5 cases. The range of degloving skin was from 5 cm×4 cm to 15 cm×8 cm, and all degloving skins were intact. The degloving skin was preserved at 4℃. After the patient's vital signs became stable and the wound conditions improved, it was trimmed into medium-thickness skin grafts for replantation. The degloving skin was preserved for 3 to 7 days. At 4 weeks after replantation, the viability of the degloving skin grafts was assessed, including color, elasticity, and sensation of pain. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was used to assess the scars of the skin grafts during follow-up. RESULTS: At 4 weeks after replantation, 8 cases of skin grafts completely survived and the color was similar with normal skin, with a survival rate of 66.67%. The elasticity of skin grafts (R0 value) ranged from 0.09 to 0.85, with an average of 0.55; moderate pain was reported in 4 cases, mild pain in 3 cases, and no pain in 5 cases. All patients were followed up 12 months. Over time, the VSS scores of all 12 patients gradually decreased, with a range of 4-11 at 12 months (mean, 6.8). CONCLUSION For limb degloving injuries that cannot be replanted immediately and do not have the conditions for deep low-temperature freezing preservation, the method of preserving the degloving skin at 4℃ for delayed replantation can be chosen.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Replantation/methods* ; Female ; Degloving Injuries/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Extremities/injuries* ; Time Factors ; Skin/injuries* ; Tissue Preservation/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term effectiveness of the anterior and middle columns in thoracolumbar tuberculosis reconstructed with whole autogenous spinous process-laminar bone through posterior approach. METHODS: The retrospective study included 78 patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis who underwent posterior approach surgery and anterior and middle column bone graft reconstruction between January 2012 and May 2023. Based on the type of autogenous bone graft used, patients were divided into group A (whole autogenous spinous process-laminar bone graft, 38 cases) and group B (autogenous structural iliac bone graft, 40 cases). There was no significant difference of baseline data, such as age, gender, disease duration, involved segment of spinal tuberculosis, and preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), Oswestry disability index (ODI), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade, segmental kyphotic angle, and intervertebral height between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, hospital stays, ESR, CRP, VAS score, ODI, bone fusion time, ASIA grade for neurological status valuation, postoperative complications, change of segmental kyphotic angle, change of intervertebral height were recorded and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The operation time in group A was significantly shorter than that in group B ( P<0.05); there was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, and hospital stays between the two groups ( P>0.05). All patients in the two groups were followed up 14-110 months (mean, 64.1 months); there was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the two groups ( P>0.05). The ESR, CRP, ODI, and VAS score at each time point after operation in both groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation, and further improved with the extension of time, the differences were significant ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05) except that the VAS score of group A was significantly better than that of group B at 3 days after operation ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in fusion time between the two groups ( P>0.05). The neurological function of most patients improved after operation, and there was no significant difference in ASIA grade between the two groups at last follow-up ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in segmental kyphosis angle and intervertebral height between the two groups at each time point ( P>0.05), and no significant difference in segmental kyphosis angle, intervertebral height correction and loss were found between the two groups ( P>0.05). In group A, there was 1 case of incision fat liquefaction and 1 case of incision infection; in group B, there was 1 case of deep venous thrombosis, 2 cases of pleural effusion, and 10 cases of pain in bone harvesting area; in both groups, there were 2 cases of gout caused by hyperuricemia. There was a significant difference in the incidence of pain in bone harvesting area between the two groups ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the incidence of other complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION Whole autogenous spinous process-laminar bone grafting is equivalent to structural iliac bone graft in reconstruction of the anterior and middle columns in thoracolumbar tuberculosis through posterior approach, effectively supporting the stability of the anterior and middle columns of the spine, while resulting in shorter operation time and less postoperative pain in bone harvesting area.
Humans ; Tuberculosis, Spinal/surgery* ; Thoracic Vertebrae/surgery* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Treatment Outcome ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Operative Time ; Ilium/transplantation*

OBJECTIVE: To prepare decellularized nerve grafts from alpha-1, 3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) gene-edited pigs and explore their biocompatibility for xenotransplantation. METHODS: The sciatic nerves from wild-type pigs and GGTA1 gene-edited pigs were obtained and underwent decellularization. The alpha-galactosidase (α-gal) content in the sciatic nerves of GGTA1 gene-edited pigs was detected by using IB4 fluorescence staining and ELISA method to verify the knockout status of the GGTA1 gene, and using human sciatic nerve as a control. HE staining and scanning electron microscopy observation were used to observe the structure of the nerve samples. Immunofluorescence staining and DNA content determination were used to evaluate the degree of decellularization of the nerve samples. Fourteen nude mice were taken, and subcutaneous capsules were prepared on both sides of the spine. Decellularized nerve samples of wild-type pigs ( n=7) and GGTA1 gene-edited pigs ( n=7) were randomly implanted in the subcutaneous capsules. Blood was drawn at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after implantation to detect neutrophil counting. RESULTS: IB4 fluorescence staining and ELISA detection showed that GGTA1 gene was successfully knocked out in the nerves of GGTA1 gene-edited pigs. HE staining showed that the structure of the decellularized nerve from GGTA1 gene-edited pigs was well preserved; the nerve basement membrane tube structure was visible under scanning electron microscopy; no cell nuclei was observed, and the extracellular matrix components was retained in the nerve grafts by immunofluorescence staining; and the DNA content was significantly reduced when compared with the normal nerves ( P<0.05). In vivo experiments showed that the number of neutrophils in the two groups were similar at 1, 3, and 7 days after implantation, with no significant difference ( P>0.05); only at 5 days, the number of neutrophils was significantly lower in the GGTA1 gene-edited pigs than in the wild-type pigs ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION The decellularized nerve grafts from GGTA1 gene-edited pigs have well-preserved nerve structure, complete decellularization, retain the natural nerve basement membrane tube structure and components, and low immune response after xenotransplantation through in vitro experiments.
Animals ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; Galactosyltransferases/genetics* ; Sciatic Nerve/immunology* ; Swine ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Humans ; Graft Rejection/prevention & control* ; Gene Editing ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Heterografts/immunology* ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Decellularized Extracellular Matrix

OBJECTIVE: To review the latest research advancements in surgical techniques for the treatment of limb lymphedema. METHODS: The relevant literature at home and abroad in recent years was extensively reviewed, and the research on the treatment of limb lymphedema by surgical techniques were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS: Lymphovenous anastomosis has demonstrated good effectiveness for early to mid-stage limb lymphedema, however its long-term effectiveness and applicability for late-stage limb lymphedema still require further validation. Autologous lymphatic/venous grafting has shown clinical feasibility in the treatment of secondary limb lymphedema. Research on tissue-engineered lymphatic scaffolds remains insufficient, primarily due to the complexity of lymphatic anatomical structures and the technical challenges involved. Nevertheless, its potential application is promising. Vascularized lymph node flap transplantation has shown significant effectiveness in treating limb lymphedema, particularly yielding good outcomes in upper limb cases. However, it can not guarantee a complete cure for the condition. Charles' operation is the most effective treatment option for patients with late-stage limb lymphedema, but its extensive incision and severe postoperative complications limit its application. Liposuction has the advantages such as minimal invasiveness, high safety, and repeatability. It is suitable for patients with late-stage limb lymphedema who have failed conservative treatment or developed adiposity. However, its effectiveness is limited in patients with significant limb fibrosis. CONCLUSION Current treatments for limb lymphedema require further improvement, and there is considerable debate regarding treatment strategies for different stages of the condition. Future high-quality, multi-system combined treatment approaches are anticipated to guide clinical practice.
Humans ; Lymphedema/surgery* ; Surgical Flaps/blood supply* ; Lymphatic Vessels/surgery* ; Anastomosis, Surgical/methods* ; Lymph Nodes/transplantation* ; Lipectomy/methods* ; Extremities/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Tissue Engineering ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Veins/transplantation*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of minimally invasive osteotomy with preservation of blood supply to the transversely transported bone segment in the treatment of chronic ischemic lower limb diseases using tibial transverse bone transport. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 12 patients with chronic ischemic lower limb diseases who met the selection criteria and were treated between June 2016 and December 2023. The cohort included 7 males and 5 females, aged 26-87 years (mean, 61.2 years). Among them, 7 patients had diabetic foot (DF), including 2 cases complicated by arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO), with a DF duration ranging from 1.7 to 23.0 months (mean, 9.6 months) and ulcer sizes ranging from 3.2 cm×2.4 cm to 10.0 cm×6.6 cm. Three patients had ASO with a disease duration of 1.7-23.0 months (mean, 10.4 months) and ulcer or post-amputation wound sizes ranging from 2.2 cm×2.1 cm to 12.0 cm×7.7 cm. Additionally, 2 patients with thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) had a disease duration of 7 and 12 months, respectively. Preoperatively, the mean foot skin temperature was (27.63±0.34)℃, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 8.5±0.7. All patients underwent tibial transverse bone transport using minimally invasive osteotomy while preserving the blood supply to the transported bone segment. Postoperative complications and foot ulcer healing were observed. The effectiveness of tibial transverse bone transport was evaluated by comparing preoperative and postoperative foot skin temperature, VAS scores, as well as through CT angiography (CTA). RESULTS: One DF patient with ASO was lost to follow-up, while the remaining 11 patients were followed up 10-29 months (mean, 20.5 months). One DF patient had a displaced fracture at the site of tibial transport due to trauma, which healed after plaster immobilization; 1 DF patient had a small amount of pigmentation in the skin of the donor site, but the blood circulation was good; no complication such as pin tract infection, skin necrosis, or osteomyelitis occurred in the donor site of all patients. At 2-3 weeks postoperatively, the foot skin temperature was (34.21±0.65)℃, and the VAS score was 0.3±0.1, both significantly improved compared to preoperative ones ( t=-31.578, P<0.001; t=49.000, P<0.001). Two TAO patients experienced recurrent, persistent, intolerable pain at 7-10 days postoperatively, with no reduction in ulcer size or necrotic areas; 1 underwent toe amputation, and the other required a mid-leg amputation. The remaining patients achieved complete ulcer healing, with healing time ranging from 5.1 to 9.2 weeks (mean, 6.8 weeks). CTA showed no new vascular occlusions or embolisms. X-ray films at 4 months postoperatively demonstrated proper repositioning and good healing of the transported tibial bone segment. CONCLUSION The application of minimally invasive osteotomy with preserved blood supply to the transversely transported bone segment in tibial transverse bone transport for the treatment of chronic ischemic lower limb diseases effectively minimizes extensive soft tissue dissection, reduces surgical soft tissue damage, and better maintains local blood supply. This approach lowers the risk of postoperative infection and skin necrosis while accelerating postoperative recovery.
Humans ; Osteotomy/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Tibia/surgery* ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diabetic Foot/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Arteriosclerosis Obliterans/surgery* ; Ischemia/surgery* ; Lower Extremity/blood supply*