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E J Hesselink

Publications and source records attributed to E J Hesselink.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Increased tissue-type plasminogen activator activity in orthotopic but not heterotopic liver transplantation: the role of the anhepatic period.

The major cause of the increased tissue-type plasminogen activator activity during orthotopic liver transplantation is still unclear. Both the lack of hepatic clearance of tissue-type plasminogen activator in the anhepatic period and increased endothelial release from the graft on reperfusion have been proposed as the major causes. Heterotopic liver transplantation avoids the resection of the host liver and is a useful model to help differentiate between these two possibilities. In this study the fibrinolytic system was evaluated in 10 orthotopic liver transplantations, 18 heterotopic liver transplantations and a control group of 10 partial hepatic resections. A marked increment in tissue-type plasminogen activator activity, from 0.2 to 5.2 IU/ml (p less than 0.02), was observed during the anhepatic period of orthotopic liver transplantation, which rapidly normalized after reperfusion. In contrast, tissue-type plasminogen activator activity levels remained normal in heterotopic liver transplantation and partial hepatic resections. In orthotopic liver transplantation and in heterotopic liver transplantation no increase occurred in tissue-type plasminogen activator activity after reperfusion. The first venous hepatic outflow after reperfusion did not contain elevated tissue-type plasminogen activator activity levels. Plasma degradation products of fibrin and fibrinogen increased during the anhepatic period of orthotopic liver transplantation (from 2.60 to 8.80 micrograms/ml [p less than 0.008] and from 0.40 to 1.60 micrograms/ml [p less than 0.04], respectively) and remained elevated thereafter. In heterotopic liver transplantation and partial hepatic resections these levels remained low. In conclusion, the lack of hepatic clearance during the anhepatic period is probably the most important factor in the evolution of increased tissue-type plasminogen activator activity during orthotopic liver transplantation.

Blood Transfusion

[Favorable results of auxiliary heterotopic liver transplantation in patients with end-stage chronic liver insufficiency].

Auxiliary heterotopic liver transplantation (HLT), which avoids removal of the host liver, may improve the results of liver transplantation in patients with end-stage chronic liver disease. However, the results of HLT have so far been disappointing. In 1986 a program of HLT was started in the University Hospital Rotterdam-Dijkzigt. Eighteen patients with chronic liver failure underwent HLT. Twelve out of 18 (67%) patients were discharged 25 days after transplantation with normal liver function. Six patients died within 3 months after operation due to septic causes. Three months after transplantation ascites was no longer detectable and oesophageal varices had disappeared in all surviving recipients of HLT. The actuarial 3 and 12 months survival rate was 67%. Hepatitis B virus reinfection was seen in all patients. In two patients cirrhosis of the graft developed within one year. These data suggest that HLT in patients with chronic liver failure gives long-term metabolic support and adequate decompression of portal system, and is associated with a morbidity and mortality comparable to that of orthotopic liver transplantation.

Adult

[Liver transplantation in acute liver insufficiency: definitive replacement or auxiliary liver?].

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has greatly improved the chances of survival in patients with acute hepatic failure. However, this mode of treatment requires lifelong immunosuppressive medication and negates the potential recovery of the host liver. In theory, auxiliary heterotopic liver transplantation (HLT) offers the diseased host liver a chance to regenerate, so that immunosuppression can be tapered off and eventually stopped. In the University Hospital Rotterdam Dijkzigt OLT and HLT were performed in two patients, with acute and subacute hepatic failure respectively. The patient undergoing OLT recovered quickly but needed a successful re-OLT after a serious rejection episode. The removed diseased liver showed no signs of regeneration at histology. The patient undergoing HLT also recovered well. HIDA scanning as well as liver biopsies of the host liver and the grafted liver 1 and 6 months after transplantation indicated full recovery of the host liver, so that immunosuppression is being tapered off.

Adult

Does auxiliary heterotopic liver transplantation reverse hypersplenism and portal hypertension?

In this study, performed to assess the effect of auxiliary heterotopic liver transplantation on portal hypertension and hypersplenism, eight patients with chronic liver disease who underwent the procedure and had functioning grafts for at least 6 months were analyzed. The transplantation resulted in (a) normalization of platelet and leukocyte counts, (b) reduction of splenomegaly by 20% +/- 3% (P less than 0.02), (c) disappearance of ascites, and (d) diminution of esophageal varices in all patients. Intraoperatively, the mean portacaval pressure gradient decreased with 54% +/- 7% after recirculation of the graft (P less than 0.05). In conclusion, a functioning auxiliary heterotopic liver graft decompresses portal hypertension and reverses hypersplenism.

Adult

[Possibilities and limitations of heterotopic auxiliary liver transplantation].

Although auxiliary heterotopic liver transplantation offers theoretical advantages over orthotopic liver replacement, clinical results have heretofore been dismal. After development of a technique of reduced size liver grafts provided with portal and arterial blood and venous drainage via the suprahepatic V. cava (HLT) in experimental animals, this method was applied in 21 transplantations in 19 patients. 11 of 16 patients with chronic liver insufficiency and one of three patients with fulminant liver failure survived transplantation for at least 1 year. HLT was well tolerated even by high-risk patients. Possibilities and limitations of this novel approach are discussed.

Adult

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

The use of ultrasound-guided PTCD in 49 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma was evaluated. In 11 patients PTCD was performed as a preoperative measure either to outline tumor extension or to treat cholangitis. Postoperatively, the catheters were used to stent bilioenteric anastomoses and served to guide iridium wires for radiotherapy in nine patients with nonresectable tumor or tumor residue after resection. In 20 inoperable patients with tumor diameter smaller than 3 cm and in whom at least one catheter could be manipulated through the tumor, PTCD was combined with internal and external radiotherapy. The remaining 18 patients were palliated with PTCD only. In 29 patients (59%) complete drainage of the biliary system was achieved. Twenty-seven of these had complete internal drainage using endoprostheses. Two had a combination of an endoprosthesis and external catheter drainage. Of the 20 patients (41%) with incomplete drainage, 12 had endoprostheses, four had a catheter and an endoprosthesis, and in the remaining four external catheter drainage was the optimum result. PTCD was successful in treating eight of ten patients with cholangitis and 12 of 16 patients with pruritus. Procedure-related complication occurred in 11 patients (22%). With the exception of one, all complications could be classified as minor, requiring only conservative measures. A major complication was seen in a patient with ascitic fluid and severe cholangitis. PTCD caused a bacterial peritonitis, of which the patient died. The median survival of patients treated with PTCD alone only was 4 months. A significant increase in survival was noted in patients treated with PTCD and radiotherapy (median survival 8 months).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenoma, Bile Duct

Hepatic anatomy.

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Humans

[Partial hepatectomy for benign or malignant liver diseases; experience in 94 patients].

In this retrospective study, we analyse the results of 94 partial liver resections performed between 1972 and January 1989. The resections were performed for malignant (48 patients) and benign (46 patients) liver tumours. Nine patients (9.6%) died of resection-related complications. Mortality was significantly lower in the patients with resections for benign liver tumours (2.2%) compared with patients with resections for malignant liver tumours (16.7%) (p less than 0.05). In the patients who survived the first 30 days, complications occurred in 25.9%. The 5-year survival of patients with a primary malignant liver tumour (57%) is significantly (p = 0.05) better than in patients with a secondary malignant liver tumour (19%). From this study we conclude that partial liver resections for primary or secondary liver tumours can be performed with an acceptable mortality and morbidity, and should be the therapy of choice for selected patients.

Adult

Barrett's ulcer: cause of spontaneous oesophageal perforation.

We report two patients, who presented within six months with the classic clinical picture of 'spontaneous' oesophageal perforation, which was caused by a perforated Barrett's ulcer. These two cases underline the importance of postoperative endoscopy in ruling out intrinsic oesophageal disease as the cause of the rupture in every patient, who survives this life threatening condition.

Aged

Procurement of the liver and the whole pancreas from a single cadaver donor.

Safely harvesting the liver as well as the whole pancreas from a single donor is not yet common practice in transplantation surgery, since these organs have a partially common blood supply. Two harvesting procedures are described followed by successful transplantation of five solid organs from each donor, including liver and whole pancreas. Important details of the preferred surgical technique are the division of the hepatic artery just distal to the splenic artery and keeping the aortic patch, including superior mesenteric artery and coeliac trunk with the pancreas graft. Using this technique the liver and the whole pancreas could be transplanted without extra vascular anastomoses, while vascular grafts were not necessary. The risk of thrombosis during pancreas and liver transplantation is minimized in this way, while the primary function of each of the five harvested organs was excellent.

Cadaver