Biomedical subjects

H Karakayali

Publications and source records attributed to H Karakayali.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Effect of secondary interventions on patency of vascular access sites for hemodialysis.

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of secondary procedures performed to maintain arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and arteriovenous graft (AVG) patency. METHODS: There hundred and eighty six vascular access procedures were retrospectively evaluated. 156 (40.4%) patients required radiological interventions to treat acute thrombosis, swelling of the extremity with the access site, insufficient hemodialysis, or stenosis at an anastomotic site. RESULTS: The 386 cases comprised 106 AVGs and 280 AVFs. In 138 of the 156 cases, which required a radiological intervention, the treatment was successful and saved the vascular access site. The unassisted post-intervention patency time for these 138 successful cases was 13.1 +/- 12 months (range, 1-65 months). Twenty-nine (63%) of the 46 access sites treated with surgical thrombectomy were saved. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent, regular follow-up of hemodialysis patients with vascular access sites is the best way to diagnose problems early and allow the best chance of long-term function.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Hypophosphatemia in living liver donors.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Some patients who undergo donor hepatectomy for adult living donor liver transplantation develop hypophosphatemia postoperatively. Since this imbalance appears to be a factor in postoperative complications, some authors advocate routine supratherapeutic phosphorus repletion. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of hypophosphatemia after elective donor lobectomy for liver transplantation and to assess whether phosphorus repletion is necessary in this patient group. METHODS: The cases of 26 patients who donated 19 right lobe and seven left lateral lobe grafts between August 2004 and March 2005 were evaluated. Postoperative phosphorus levels and other relevant data were obtained from our institution's transplant database. Presence/severity of hypophosphatemia was categorized as follows: normal (>2.5 mg/dL), mild (1.5 to 2.5 mg/dL), moderate (1.1 to 1.5 mg/dL), and profound (<1.0 mg/dL). RESULTS: No patients undergoing donor hepatectomy suffered profound or life-threatening hypophosphatemia and no donor required hyperalimentation for phosphate repletion. Twenty one donors (80.7%) did not have postoperative hypophosphatemia. In addition there appears to be no increased morbidity related to hypophosphatemia. A left lateral segment donor (3.8%) had moderate hypophosphatemia that alleviated with oral intake gradually. Four patients (15.5%; three of right lobe donor, one of left lateral segment donor) had mild hypophosphatemia. We also appropriately corrected the hypophosphatemia with encouragement of normal oral intake. By postoperative day 5, essentially all donor phosphorus levels were corrected to normal range. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that hypophosphatemia after donor hepatectomy is not as common as previously reported. We find that appropriate early oral intake postoperatively effectively prevents/minimizes hypophosphatemia in patients who undergo donor hepatectomy.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Lamivudine therapy in kidney allograft recipients who are seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen.

BACKGROUND: There are numerous recent reports on the use of lamivudine for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection after renal transplantation. However, the optimal strategy (prophylactic, preemptive, or salvage approach) for starting lamivudine treatment in this patient group has not been determined. The aim of this study was to assess how the timing of lamivudine therapy affected the HBV serological status and the transaminase levels in renal allograft recipients with chronic HBV infection. METHODS: We investigated outcomes for patients who were seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and underwent transplantation before or after October 2004 (the date our institution implemented a prophylactic lamivudine treatment strategy against HBV). The data included serum liver enzyme levels and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening results for HBV-DNA in serum. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (11 before October 2004, four after October 2004) were included in the study. Preoperatively all patients had normal transaminases levels and 2 of 15 patients had detectable HBV-DNA on PCR. Eight of the 15 total HBsAg-positive patients in our series were not placed on lamivudine at the time of renal transplantation. Half of those who were not treated initially showed transaminase elevations in the first year of follow-up requiring lamivudine therapy at that time. In contrast, all seven individuals who received lamivudine at the time of transplantation were negative for HBV-DNA throughout the follow-up. CONCLUSION: To prevent viral replication in HBsAg-positive patients who are scheduled for renal transplantation, it is best to initiate lamivudine therapy before or immediately after transplantation.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed2006

Nonvascular complications in pediatric liver recipients: multidetector computed tomography evaluation.

In pediatric liver transplantation postoperative diagnosis of complications is crucial for graft salvage. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is a technique to evaluate complications. In this study we present nonvascular abdominal complications encountered in pediatric recipients after liver transplantation. We retrospectively examined 113 MDCT examinations in 43 pediatric patients who underwent liver transplantation between 1997 and 2005. Computed tomography (CT) examinations were made by a 16-detector multislice CT scanner. The pathological findings on CT images were: intraperitoneal free fluid, intrahepatic bile duct dilatation, graft liver infarction, perihepatic and intraperitoneal fluid collections (six biloma), colonic and/or intestinal dilatation, splenic infarction, perihepatic hematoma, right adrenal hemorrhage, perihepatic abscess, incisional hernia, intrahepatic biloma and periportal collar. In one patient intestinal hemorrhage was suspected. Intestinal perforation was suspected in three patients. Among these three patients, one patient died before any surgical intervention. In two patients the diagnosis was confirmed at surgery. In pediatric patients, the short examination time, brief sedation duration, and high-resolution images make MDCT an effective radiological method to evaluate nonvascular transplant complications.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Hepatic stellate cells in biopsies from liver allografts with acute rejection.

BACKGROUND: [corrected] Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are nonparenchymal elements that play a major role in fibrogenesis due to various pathologies. HSCs are easily activated by certain injuries, which produce contraction and relaxation of HSCs, resulting in hepatic microcirculatory disturbances. The present study sought to analyze the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) positive HSCs in liver allografts during acute rejection episodes (ARE), determining whether it was related to the pathogenesis of this immune response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry and a semiquantitative scoring system, the expression of alpha-SMA in HSCs was analyzed in liver allografts with ARE (group 1, n = 64) or without ARE (group 2, n = 20). Normal liver tissue from transplant donors (group 3, n = 53) served as the control materials. RESULTS: Significantly more alpha-SMA positive HSCs were found in group 2 than in the other two groups (P < .05). The minimal difference observed between groups 1 and 3 was not statistically significant. As well, no statistical association was found between expression of alpha-SMA and the clinical parameters of age, gender, etiology of liver failure, donor type (partial or whole), posttransplantation period, and liver function tests. CONCLUSIONS: While these results represent preliminary findings, it may be possible that HSC expression is a protective mechanism during ARE in hepatic allograft patients. If this is true, enhanced expression of this protein may mitigate ARE in liver allograft patients.

Actins↗

PubMed2006

Cadaveric transplantation activities in our centers.

Baskent University is one of the most important transplantation centers in Turkey. This study assesses the contribution that Baskent University Hospital Network is currently making to the national solid organ pool. The National Coordinating Center (NCC) was founded in 2001, and data from the Baskent University transplantation center from January 2001 to through May 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. The number of brain-dead patients in this period was 36 and the number of family consent was 20. For all brain-death cases, the rate of consent for donation was 55.6%. Of the 64 total grafts collected in this study period, 85.9% were transplanted at this center and 14.1% were offered to the NCC. The rate of heart and liver grafts offered to the NCC was 9.4% and 4.7%, respectively. According to the results, 29.6% of all heart grafts, 4.5% of all liver grafts, and 4.5% of all kidney grafts in Turkey are performed from donors identified by Baskent University. The current rate of consent for cadaver organ donation is high compared with other centers. The majority of these grafts were used in our center, but we also made some contribution to the national donor organ pool. The transplantation activities in our network will hopefully lead to a larger organ pool and shorter waiting lists.

Cadaver↗

PubMed2006

A corner-saving ureteral reimplantation technique without stenting.

In this study we present our new technique, which will simplify reconstruction of even a small-caliber ureter. Our transplantation team has performed 1523 renal transplantation since 1975. From 1975 to 1983, we performed 300 ureteroneocystostomies using the modified Politano-Leadbetter technique. Since 1983, the extravesical Lich-Gregoir technique was used in combination with temporary ureteral stenting in 1141 patients. After September 2003, we began a corner-saving technique. Eighty-two (62 living related, 20 cadaver) renal transplantations have been performed since September 2003. The mean recipient age was 32.2 +/- 10.9 years (range, 7 to 63). Mean donor age was 38.9 +/- 13.1 years. For ureteral reimplantation, a running suture is started from 3 mm ahead from the middle of the posterior wall and finished 3 mm afterward. After the last stitch, both ends of the suture material are pulled and the posterior wall of the ureter and bladder are approximated tightly. The anterior wall is sewn either with the same suture or another running suture. Since using this technique, we have not employed a double J or any other stent to prevent ureteral complications at the anastomosis side. We have seen only two (2.4%) ureteral complications. In conclusion, due to the low complication rate, we believe that our new technique is the safest way to perform a ureteroneocyctostomy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Tacrolimus-related neurologic and renal complications in liver transplantation: A single-center experience.

Among 71 patients, 19 (26.7%) experienced tacrolimus-related complications including 15 neurologic reactions and four problems with nephrotoxicity. Seven of these patients received grafts from cadaveric donors and 12 from living donors. Nine patients were children. The cohort included 5 female and 14 male subjects of mean age 26 +/- 20 (min 6, max 65) years. The common indications for the liver transplantation were cholestatic and metabolic diseases in pediatric patients, and viral hepatitis in adult patients. Blood tacrolimus levels were within the normal range. All patients with neurologic complications received antiepileptic therapy and drug conversion to rapamycin in 4 cases and to cyclosporine (CsA) in 11 cases. Six cases with Wilson disease and all cases with tyrosinemia experienced neurologic complications, which reversed in all but one case. In four cases with nephrotoxicity, we switched to rapamycin. Renal function improved in all cases. Patients with Wilson disease and tyrosinemia were more susceptible to the neurologic side effects of tacrolimus. In these cases we recommend the use of drugs with fewer neurologic side effects. Tacrolimus also has nephrotoxic effects, which can be reversed by converting to rapamycin.

Cyclosporine↗

PubMed2006

Urologic complications in 1523 renal transplantations: The Baskent University experience.

Urologic complications, observed since the beginning of renal transplantation, cause significant morbidity and mortality. In the first few years the procedure was performed, incidence of urologic complications was reported to be 10% to 25%. Recently, the incidence of urologic complications after renal transplantation has decreased to 2.5% to 12.5%; unfortunately, a higher incidence exists in pediatric recipients, reaching approximately 20% with an associated 58% and 74% graft survival rates for cadaveric and living-related transplantation, respectively. We retrospectively analyzed the postoperative urologic complications reported in the medical charts of 1523 consecutive kidney transplantations (1130 men, 74.2%; 393 women, 25.8%; mean age, 31.9 +/- 10.9 years; range, 7 to 64 years; 354 cadaveric, 23.2%; 1169 living, 76.8%) performed by our team since 1975. The first 321 procedures took place at Hacettepe University Hospital in Ankara, Turkey, and the remaining 1202 were performed at Baskent University Hospital in Ankara. Urologic complications occurred in 46 (3%) recipients. Twenty-three (1.5%) of these patients had urine leakage, 15 (1%) had urinary obstruction due to ureteral stricture, 6 (0.4%) had distal ureter necrosis, and 2 (0.1%) developed renal calculi in the late postoperative period. Twenty-four out of 46 required reoperation for urologic complications. The remaining 22 patients were treated conservatively in our interventional radiology department with excellent results. In conclusion, urologic complications will always occur in the posttransplant period. Early diagnosis by experienced personnel and use of interventional radiology can greatly reduce the need for surgical treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Comparison of Tc-99m DTPA and Tc-99m MAG3 perfusion time-activity curves in patients with renal allograft dysfunction.

AIM: The perfusion time-activity curve on DTPA renal scintigraphy shows a peak and plateau pattern which is usually absent or less marked when using tubular agents such as MAG3. The exact mechanism that results in this difference between the two tracers is not well understood. A descending pattern on MAG3 has been proposed to be due to decreased extraction. In this study we compared the diagnostic utility of perfusion patterns obtained with DTPA and MAG3 among patients with renal allograft dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 48 patients with renal allograft dysfunction and 18 recipients with normal graft function. Every recipient had renal scintigraphy with Tc-99m MAG3 and Tc-99m DTPA 1 day apart. The second phase of the perfusion curve after the initial rise was classified as ascending, flat, or descending. In patients with a descending curve on DTPA study, we calculated the ratio of counts at peak perfusion to that at plateau (P:PL). Impaired perfusion was based on a deterioration of the peak-to-plateau pattern on DTPA and the presence of a flat-descending curve on MAG3. RESULTS: In patients with dysfunction, impaired perfusion was observed in 77% of DTPA and in 54% of MAG3 studies. A flat-descending curve on MAG3 was present in 44% of patients with normal graft function. By MAG3, 67% of acute rejection and 28% of chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) cases showed deteriorated perfusion. The corresponding values for DTPA were 67% and 94%, respectively. A flat-ascending pattern on DTPA was more frequent in CAN than it was in acute rejection (33% and 17%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of DTPA perfusion pattern for diagnosing dysfunction was significantly greater than that for MAG3. Our results suggest that the major determinant of a curve pattern on DTPA or MAG3 study is the extraction relative to perfusion. Thus for patients with CAN, extraction is higher relative to perfusion, resulting in a lower P:PL ratio or an ascending curve on DTPA. Although the extraction of DTPA is less than that of MAG3, this level of extraction renders DTPA more sensitive to serial changes in renal function and pathophysiological mechanisms related to kidney function.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2006

Expanded criteria for liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Liver transplantation is the only curative treatment for patients with cirrhosis and unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) without extrahepatic dissemination. Since criteria for transplantation in HCC are controversial, we evaluated our early results of liver transplantation for unresectable HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three women and 14 men (age range, 1.1 to 64 years) with preoperatively diagnosed or incidentally discovered HCC underwent liver transplantation. Six grafts were obtained from cadaveric donors, and each of the remaining 11 grafts from a living related donor. Criteria for participation, independent of tumor size and number of tumor nodules, were no invasion of major vascular structure and no evidence of extrahepatic disease. In nine patients, tumors were beyond the Milan criteria. Twelve patients (86.7%) received tacrolimus and 2 (13.30%), rapamycin monotherapy with early withdrawal of corticosteroid therapy. Two patients underwent neoadjuvant chemoembolization before transplantation; none received adjuvant chemotherapy. Seven patients with hepatitis B virus infection underwent antiviral prophylaxis with antibody to hepatitis B surface antigens and lamivudine. RESULTS: During follow-up (range, 1 to 17 months), all patients exhibited excellent graft function. Imaging studies revealed no evidence of tumor recurrence and no elevation of alpha fetoprotein or carcinoembryonic antigen levels. DISCUSSION: Low-dose immunosuppressive therapy and expanded criteria for liver transplantation in patients with HCC, especially when donation from a living related donor is possible, appear to inhibit disease recurrence and improve outcomes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Venous complications after orthotopic liver transplantation.

We report venous complications, including portal vein and hepatic vein stenoses, that required interventional radiological treatment in three pediatric and two adult living related liver transplant recipients. Between April 2001 and April 2005, 81 liver transplantations were performed at our hospital. Sixty-two grafts were from living donors. During follow-up, three portal vein stenoses were identified in three pediatric recipients, and two hepatic vein stenoses in two adult patients. In the children, two had received left lateral segment grafts, and one had received a right lobe graft from two mothers and one father, respectively. The etiologies of liver failure were Alagille syndrome, biliary atresia, and fulminant Wilson's disease. Portal vein stenoses were identified at 8, 11, and 12 months after transplantation; all three patients underwent percutaneous transhepatic portal venous angioplasty with a success rate of 100%. The mean follow-up was 102 days; no recurrence has occurred. In contrast, hepatic venous stenoses were diagnosed in two adult recipients. One of them was a 24-year-old woman with autoimmune hepatitis and the other a 43-year-old man with cryptogenic cirrhosis. Hepatic vein stenoses were diagnosed at 3 and 4 months after transplantation. Both hepatic vein stenoses were dilated with balloon angioplasties via the transjugular route. Venous complications identified by Doppler ultrasonography were confirmed by computerized tomographic angiography. Angioplasty represents an effective and safe alternative to reconstructive surgery in the treatment of venous complications after liver transplantation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Renal transplantation in children.

INTRODUCTION: Various immunological, metabolic, and technical factors render pediatric recipients with end-stage renal disease unique from their adult counterparts. In addition, the potential for complications after renal transplantation is far greater in children than in adults. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed 83 pediatric recipients who underwent kidney transplantation at our institution from 1975 to 2004. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 1975 to December 2004, 1523 renal transplantations were performed at our institution with 56 procedures in 83 pediatric patients (44 boys and 39 girls; age range, 7 to 17 years; mean age, 14.9 +/- 2.2 years). RESULTS: Long-term follow-up revealed the following morbidities in 14 (16.3%) recipients: lymphocele in 7 (8.1%) patients, perirenal hematoma in 2 (2.3%), graft renal artery stenosis in 2 (2.3%), ureteral stenosis in 2 (2.3%), and ureteral anastomotic leak in 1 (1.2%). Six (7.2%) recipients with a functioning graft died during follow-up (five deaths were infection related, and the cause of one death was unknown). Five grafts failed (four for immunological reasons and one as a result of recurrent disease). The 1-, 3-, 5-year patient and graft survival rates were 98%, 93%, 92% and 91%, 78%, 67% for living related transplantations versus 98%, 91%, 90% and 92%, 76%, 65% for cadaveric transplantations, respectively. DISCUSSION: Better outcomes for renal transplantation in children may be obtained by strict adherence to precise surgical techniques, better immunosuppressive management, and early diagnosis/effective treatment of complications.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

A new technique for bile duct reconstruction in liver transplantation.

Biliary complications are one of the most important problems in liver transplantation. Despite various refinements of surgical technique, liver transplantation is associated with significant numbers of biliary problems. In this article, we describe our novel "intraoperative transhepatic biliary catheter insertion" technique for biliary reconstruction in 29 patients, since November 2004 comparing results before and after its implementation. 5-F Kumpe catheter is inserted into the biliary system in two steps. The first is completed at the back table, and the second during the recipient operation. The grafts were from cadavers in 10 cases, with the remaining ones from living donors. Ten patients received whole-liver grafts, 11 received a right lobe, and eight received a left-lateral lobe or left lobe. The mean weight of the living donor grafts was 598 g (range = 270 to 975 g). The mean graft weight-to-body weight ratio in the living donor liver transplantations was 1.6% +/- 1.0% (range, 0.8% to 4.1%). Intraoperative transhepatic biliary catheter insertion was performed with a duct-to-duct anastomosis in 27 cases and with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy in two cases. The only biliary complication was one case (3.4%) of bile leakage from the anastomotic site. This rate is significantly lower than that for duct-to-duct biliary reconstructions prior to the new catheter technique (13.0%; P < .05). This new technique of biliary reconstruction with intraoperative biliary catheter insertion has significantly reduced our biliary complication rate. Transhepatic biliary stenting prevents biliary complications and makes it simple to maintain percutaneous access in case such problems arise. However, further studies are needed to compare incidence rates of biliary complications when our novel technique is used versus other surgical techniques.

Bile Ducts↗

PubMed2006

Results of biliary reconstructions in liver transplantation at our center.

Biliary complications are some of the most critical problems in liver transplantation. Despite various refinements in surgical technique, different types of liver transplantations are associated with significant numbers of biliary problems. In this study, we analyzed the results of biliary reconstructions in 127 liver transplant recipients at our center from April 2001 to May 2006. Through November 2004, we used different techniques for biliary reconstruction in 66 of these patients, including duct-to-duct (DD) anastomoses, Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RYHJ), anastomoses over T tubes or stents, and anastomoses without stenting. During the first period, we used a DD anastomosis in 15 cadaveric whole liver grafts and in 25 right lobe and 12 left lobe or left lateral segment grafts from living-related donors. RYHJ was preferred in 2 cadaveric and 12 left lateral segment grafts. Beginning in November 2004, we employed intraoperative transhepatic biliary catheter insertion in 61 patients (29 children, 32 adults). In the most recent 61 cases of 13 liver grafts from cadavers and 48 from living-related donors, 14 patients (2 children and 12 adults) received whole-liver grafts, 22 (all adults) a right lobe, and 26 (all children) a left lateral or left lobe. Intraoperative transhepatic biliary catheter insertion was performed with DD anastomosis in 55 cases and with RYHJ in 6 cases. The mean complication rate decreased from 24% to 8.1% during the period using a new biliary reconstruction technique. Five biliary complications occurred in four patients. The new technique of biliary reconstruction using intraoperative biliary catheter insertion has significantly reduced the biliary complication rate. Transhepatic biliary stenting prevents biliary complications and maintains percutaneous access when problems arise. Intraoperative transhepatic biliary catheter insertion at the back table is a safe way to provide good biliary drainage after liver transplantation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Liver transplantation in children weighing less than 10 kilograms.

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) remains a major medical and surgical challenge in small pediatric patients. From April 2003 through October 2005, 17 infants (each of whom weighed less than 10 kg) underwent the procedure. Four were girls and 13 were boys (mean age, 15.7 +/- 9.3 months [range, 2-36 months]; mean weight at the time of transplantation, 7.4 +/- 2.6 kg [range, 6-10 kg]). All transplants were obtained from living-related donors. Sixteen left lateral segments and 1 left lobe were transplanted. The median graft-to-recipient weight ratio was 3.5% +/- 1.2% (range, 1.5%-6.1%). During the early postoperative period, hepatic arterial thrombosis was identified in 2 infants, and a biliary leak in 1. Hepatic arterial thrombosis was treated by reanastomosis with polytetrafluoroethylene grafting in the first patient and by surgical embolectomy in the second. The biliary leak was treated with percutaneous drainage. In 1 infant, portal vein stenosis, which was identified during the late postoperative period, was treated by percutaneous balloon dilatation. At this time, 14 (82.3%) infants were alive, exhibiting good graft function at a median follow-up of 11 months (range, 2-36 months). Three infants died: 1 on postoperative day 47 from adult respiratory distress syndrome, 1 on postoperative day 12 from sepsis, and 1 on postoperative day 65 from sepsis associated with EBV infection. Episodes of acute rejection, which occurred in 5 patients, were treated with pulse steroid therapy. On follow-up, histologic examination revealed hepatocellular carcinoma in 2 infants and Burkitt's lymphoma in 1 infant. Our data confirm that extensive use of living-related donors in liver transplantation can result in an excellent outcome for small pediatric patients.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

PubMed2006

Renal autotransplantation for the treatment of complex renovascular hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: In individuals with complicated renal vascular disease, renal autotransplantation has been used as an alternative to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, which may be unsuccessful or hazardous in these situations. We evaluated the outcomes of renal autotransplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between February 1989 and December 2005, we performed 5 renal autotransplantation procedures. The surgical strategy included renal explantation, ex vivo renal preservation, ex vivo reconstruction of the renal artery if necessary, and renal heterotopic autotransplantation. RESULTS: The study subjects (3 men and 2 women) exhibited one of the following indications for surgery: fibromuscular dysplasia (2 patients), Takayasu's arteritis (1), or atherosclerosis (2). All patients exhibited uncontrolled hypertension before renal autotransplantation. Renal arteries of patients were anastomosed either to the external or internal iliac arteries or to both when there were multiple renal arteries. The renal vein was anastomosed end-to-side to the external iliac vein, and ureteral reimplantation was not performed. Mean posttransplantation follow-up was 9.8 +/- 5.7 years (range, 1-16 years). Mortality and morbidity were not observed during the follow-up, and hypertension and renal function normalized or improved in all 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Renal autotransplantation is a highly effective procedure to treat complex renovascular lesions; ex vivo renal repair is a safe and effective surgical procedure in the clinical setting.

Female↗

PubMed2006

Arterial steal syndrome after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Arterial steal syndrome after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is characterized by arterial hypoperfusion of the graft, which is caused by a shift in blood flow into the splenic or gastroduodenal arteries. In this report, we present mechanisms by which this syndrome caused ischemia in our patients. Steal was suspected by elevated levels of liver enzymes and the results of Doppler ultrasonography and computed tomographic angiography; it was confirmed by celiac angiography. Patients with established hepatic arterial thrombosis before angiography were excluded from this study. Steal was treated by embolization with a coil or by placement of an endoluminal narrowing stent. Ten patients at our institution (seven men and three women; mean age, 24.7 +/- 11 years; range, 6 to 40 years) exhibited biochemical evidence of liver ischemia and graft failure at 1 to 170 days after having undergone orthotopic liver transplantation. Nine of those patients had splenic steal, and one had both splenic and left gastric artery steal syndrome. None of the patients had gastroduodenal artery steal syndrome. The eight patients with splenic steal syndrome and the patient with both splenic and left gastric steal syndrome were treated by transcatheter occlusion with a coil. The remaining patient with splenic steal syndrome was treated with an endoluminal narrowing stent placement. All patients improved clinically within 24 hours after treatment, exhibiting significant changes in their biochemical and radiological parameters. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 22 months (mean, 6.7 +/- 6.6 months). One patient died from sepsis 1 month after having undergone coil embolization. He had no vascular anomalies at the time of death. We conclude that steal is a significant problem after OLT. Embolization and stenting are minimally invasive and successful treatments for steal, usually resulting early clinical improvement.

Family↗