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Talia B Baker

Publications and source records attributed to Talia B Baker.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Proposed classification of complications after live donor nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVES: A standardized classification for the potential complications of living donor nephrectomy is an essential step in establishing a construct for monitoring and reporting the outcomes of this procedure. It is also helpful in informing potential donors about the inherent risks of the donor operation as part of the informed choice process. METHODS: We reviewed 600 laparoscopic live donor nephrectomies performed at our center. A modification of the Clavien classification system describing procedure-related complications was developed and used to grade the severity of all complications. RESULTS: We observed 43 complications (7.2%) in our series of 600 patients. Grade 1 defines all events that, if left untreated, would have a spontaneous resolution or needed a simple bedside procedure (39.5%). Grade 2 complications differ from grade 1 in that they are potentially life-threatening and usually require some form of intervention, but do not result in ongoing disability. We subdivided grade 2 complications (55.8% in our study) into 2a, 2b, and 2c. The latter describes complications requiring open conversion of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy for patient treatment. Grade 3 complications are events with residual or lasting disability (4.7% in our review). Grade 4 events are those resulting in renal failure or death because of any complication (none occurred in our series). CONCLUSIONS: A graded classification scheme for reporting the complications of donor nephrectomy may be useful for maintaining registry information on donor outcomes and when informing potential donors about the risks and benefits of this procedure.

Humans↗

Liver graft volume estimation in 100 living donors: measure twice, cut once.

Estimation of graft volume (GV) is critical in living donor liver transplantation. This study examines the accuracy of formula-derived GV estimates and compares them to both radiogically-derived estimates and actual measurements. We first compared formula-derived estimates of GV and compared them to actual volumes to provide estimates for both right lobe (RL) and left lateral segment (LLS) GV. We then applied these formulae to a validation cohort. Finally, we evaluated both formula-derived and radiologically-derived estimates by comparing them to actual GV measurements. There is a marginal concordance between formula-derived calculation and GV for RL donors, but the error ratio was lower than for radiologic estimates. In contrast, MRI measurements for LLS grafts demonstrated a lower error ratio than formula-derived estimation. Formula-derived estimates of GV should be routinely used in the initial screening of potential living donors as long as their limitations are appreciated.

Biometry↗

Comparative analysis of live liver donation risk using a comprehensive grading system for severity.

We investigated whether right lobe (RL) liver donation is associated with a higher incidence or severity of donor complications than left lobe (LL) liver and left lateral segment (LLS) liver donations. We studied 80 living donors: 35 RL liver donors and 45 LL/LLS liver donors. A modification of the Clavien classification was used to grade the severity of complications. RL and LL/LLS liver donations had equivalent blood loss, readmission and reoperation rates, use of blood products, and lengths of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital. RL liver donors underwent longer surgeries and experienced more postoperative pain than LL/LLS liver donors. The overall rate of complications was 33%. There was a higher rate of complications in RL liver donors (51%) than LL/LLS liver donors (20%). When graded by severity, there were more grade 2 complications in RL liver donors than in LL/LLS liver donors. Our report confirms that RL liver donation is associated with higher morbidity than LL/LLS liver donation. When the complications are systematically graded by severity, there is a significant difference in Clavien grade 2 complications in RL liver donors.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy 1997 to 2003: lessons learned with 500 cases at a single institution.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LDN) is a less invasive alternative to traditional open nephrectomy that has several potential advantages. However, there have been few large series reports describing the complications of LDN and the details of their management. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 500 LDNs performed at our center between October 1997 and September 2003. We evaluated preoperative donor characteristics, intraoperative parameters and complications, and postoperative recovery and complications. A modification of the Clavien classification was developed and used to grade the severity of all complications. RESULTS: The overall rate of intraoperative complications was 2.8%. There were 9 open conversions (1.8%), of which 6 were in the first 100 cases. Six of the 9 open conversions were for management of complications; 3 were elective. Seven renovascular incidents (1.4%) all required open conversion except one. The overall rate of postoperative complications was 3.4%. Thirty of 500 patients in our LDN series experienced an intraoperative or procedure-related complication (6.0%). When graded by severity, 18 of 31 (58.1%) of all complications were grade 1, 11 of 31 (35.4%) grade 2, and 2 of 31 (6.5%) grade 3. Only 1 recipient experienced delayed graft function, and only 1 recipient had a urologic complication. CONCLUSIONS: Our series supports the safety and efficacy of LDN with very low intraoperative complication and conversion rates. Most of the intraoperative complications can be managed laparoscopically. Readmissions are extremely rare (1.5%). Aberrant vascular anatomy and obesity are not contraindications to LDN, but they require experience. With careful surgical technique, delayed graft function and urologic complications in recipients can be avoided. A graded classification scheme for reporting complications of donor nephrectomy might be useful for maintaining registry information on donor outcomes and when informing potential donors about the risks and benefits of this procedure.

Adolescent↗