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Twenty percent of intestinal transplant recipients will require a surgical alternative to conventional primary abdominal wall closure. Abdominal wall transplant is a developing technique that is increasingly performed for this purpose in isolated intestinal or multivisceral recipients; however, adequate closure of the donor is paramount while simultaneously obtaining a large enough graft. The aim of this study is to describe alternative surgical techniques for closure of the donor in cases in which abdominal wall graft extraction hinders subsequent donor abdominal closure.We describe the cases of 2 young donors in whom intestinal extraction was not carried out and in whom wall closure was not feasible, following standard techniques after abdominal wall graft extraction. We performed 2 different procedures to obtain adequate closure. 1. Hemifascia and hemiabdominal wall graft extraction: It is an option when the recipients require an extension of the abdominal aponeurosis yet have enough skin to guarantee skin closure. The perfusion of both epigastric arteries is needed. The remaining cutaneous half is used for closing the donor's abdomen.2. Hemiabdominal wall graft extraction: Full-thickness abdominal wall is harvested from the donor, selecting the most vascularized half. It is an alternative for recipients who need a skin implant in addition to an aponeurosis extension. This option should be used for recipients who do not require a large fascial graft but do require a significant cutaneous graft. The nontransplanted half of full-thickness abdominal wall is used for donor closure.Abdominal wall transplant allows for expansion of the abdominal cavity in organ recipients and reduces the risk of compartmental syndrome and subsequent ischemia. However, the donor wall defect must be considered. The choice of donation technique was based on the magnitude of the defect in the donor as well as the size of defect to be covered in the recipient while ensuring a tight and complete closure of the donor's abdomen.Abdominal wall graft extraction can be performed using nonconventional techniques that account for the extension and type of coverage needed by the recipient while guaranteeing proper closure of the donor.

An increased number of older recipients underwent liver transplantation in recent years, and consequently needing to obtain more liver grafts. In order to increase this pool, in 2006, we initiated the use of livers from uncontrolled circulatory death (uDCD). We analyzed the use of uDCD livers in sexagenarian recipients and their effect on overall survival.A retrospective and comparative study was performed among 4 groups according to recipient age (less or greater than 60 years) and donor type (donor brain death [DBD] or uDCD): Group A: DBD livers in recipients aged60 years (n = 169); Group B: uDCD livers in recipients aged60 years (n = 36); Group C: DBD livers in recipients aged60 years (n = 96); and Group D: uDCD livers in recipients aged60 years(n = 39).Intraoperative transfusion, biliary complications, primary non-function, acute rejection, chronic renal dysfunction, retransplantation, and mortality during follow-up (cardiovascular diseases in 3 patients, hepatitis C virus recurrence in 4 patients, and de novo malignancies in 3 patients) were significantly higher, and 5-year patient and graft survival was significantly lower in sexagenarian recipients. Bilirubin and packed red blood cells transfusion were risk factors for patient survival, whereas hepatocelular carcinoma, creatinine, and packed red blood cells transfusion were risk factors for patient survival. Recipient age (60 years) was confirmed as protective factor for patient and graft survival, whereas the use of uDCD was not a risk factor for patient or graft survival.Use of a uDCD liver did not demonstrate as a risk factor for patient and graft survival, and recipient age (60 years) was a protective factor for patient and graft survival.

Invasive fungal infection, particularly intraabdominal candidiasis, exerts a negative impact on the outcome of pancreas transplant recipients (PTRs). Optimal antifungal prophylaxis in this context remains unclear.We performed a single-centre retrospective study to compare the incidence of invasive candidiasis during the first 6 post-transplant months in a cohort of 218 PTRs over two periods in which different agents for antifungal prophylaxis were used: fluconazole (Fluco-Px) from March 1995 to June 2012, and micafungin followed by fluconazole (Mica-Px) from July 2012 to December 2018.A total of 152 and 66 PTRs received Fluco-Px and Mica-Px. Mean age was 39.7 ± 7.8 years, 56.4% (123/218) were males, and 85.3% (186/218) underwent simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. Invasive candidiasis occurred in 21.7% (33/152) of PTRs under Fluco-Px compared to 24.2% (16/66) of those under Mica-Px (p-value = .681). Median time from transplantation to infection was 8 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 6-16) under Fluco-Px versus 6.5 (IQR: 3.3-15.8) under Mica-Px (p-value = .623). Non-albicans Candida species comprised 27.5% (11/40) and 25.0% (4/16) of episodes under Fluco-Px and Mica-Px respectively (p-value = .849). Surgical site infection was the most common form in both groups (82.5% [33/40] and 87.5% [14/16]; p-value = .954). Multivariable analysis identified cold ischaemia time of the pancreas and kidney grafts, surgical reintervention and insulin requirement after transplantation as risks factor for invasive candidiasis.This retrospective study did not reveal a significant benefit from the initial use of micafungin-based antifungal prophylaxis over fluconazole among PTRs in terms of invasive candidiasis.

En este trabajo se estudia el problema de generalizar uno de los Teoremas Fundamentales del cálculo clásico como es el teorema de Gauss, donde es un dominio compacto, con frontera suave o seccionalmente suave; y es una (n-1)- forma en . En tal sentido se considera regiones con frontera fractal; y es allí donde se plantea el problema. Para resolver dicho problema se desarrolla una teoría basada sobre cadenas poliédricas; lo cual permitirá aproximar la región de estudio.

The McCluskey index has been used as a tool to predict massive bleeding (6 red blood cells units) during orthotropic liver transplantation. The objective of this study is to verify its efficacy at our institution.Between May 1998 and December 2017, we performed 1216 orthotropic liver transplantations, of which 1016 had sufficient data registered with respect to hemoderivative transfusion. We divided these patients into groups based on the original study of McCluskey. This study was approved by the ethical committee of our Institution and was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.The mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score in the 4 groups was 7.5 (range, 7-8) for low risk; 13 (range, 3-32) for medium risk, 17 (range, 8-41) for high risk, and 25 (range, 11-36) for very high risk (P.001). No significant differences were observed regarding body mass index or hospital stay. No differences have been found in the number of suboptimal donors among the groups. With respect to hemoderivative transfusions, we observed the following for red blood cells: 7 (range, 6-8) units for low risk; 5.5 (range, 0-74) for medium risk; 7 (range, 0-73) for high risk, and 12 (range, 5-30) for very high risk (P.001) and transfusion of plasma: 12 (range, 10-15) units for low risk; 11 (range, 0-89) for medium risk; 14 (range, 0-76) for high risk, and 13 (range, 3-30) for very high risk (P = .001).The McCluskey index is a good indicator of the risk of hemorrhage and hence the necessity of transfusion.

Introduction Intraoperative bleeding during liver transplantation has been correlated with a higher risk of morbidity and mortality and decrease in patient and graft survival. Materials and Methods Between January 2006 and December 2016 we performed 783 orthotopic liver transplants. After applying exclusion criteria, we found liver grafts from donors after circulatory death (DCD, group A) were used in 69 patients and liver grafts from donors after brain death (group B) were used in 265 patients. Results No difference was found in terms of sex, body mass index, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, indication for transplantation, intensive care unit stay, and Child-Pugh score. The mean transfusion of hemoderivates was as follows: red blood cell 9 (0-28) units in group A vs 6 (0-20) units in group B (P = .004) and fresh frozen plasma 10 (0-29) units in group A vs 9.5 (0-23) in group B (P = .000). The only 2 factors related to massive blood transfusion (>6 units of red blood cell) were uncontrolled DCD condition (odds ratio = 2.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-4.31; P = .004), and higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score (odds ratio = 2.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.53-4.55; P = .001). Survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 81.3%, 70.2%, and 68.9% in group A vs 89%, 83.7%, and 78% in group B (P = .070). Conclusion The use of liver grafts from DCDs is associated with increased necessity of transfusion of hemoderivates in comparison with the use of liver grafts from donors after brain death.

Pancreas transplantation (PT) is considered as the only treatment that can convert a diabetic patient in a euglucemic state without the use of insulin or oral antidiabetic drugs. From 1996 to the end of 2016, more than 50,000 PT were performed in USA, and in Spain were performed 1.730 PT during the last 10 years. In this review we will perform an update of PT considering the introduction of several advances in the last years, adding our accumulated experience from the beginning of our program in the year 1995. The first PT was carried out in the Hospital of the University of Minnesota, and from that date several significant improvements have been introduced along the time due to advances in surgical technique in pancreas donors and recipients, perioperative management of patients, and introduction of more potent immunosuppressors able to reduce the rejection rate under 20%. Although PT is a therapy associated with a higher morbidity (pancreas graft thrombosis, systemic and intraabdominal infections, anastomotic leakages, etc.), currently most of the PT teams have obtained a rate of 93% of patient survival at 3-years, and between 78% and 83% of graft survival at 3-years. Additionally, the normal pancreas graft function is associated with an improvement of quality of life and most of complications related to diabetes, without the necessity to treat with antidiabetics drugs or insulin.

Satisfactory outcomes in a series of liver transplantations (LT) with octogenarian liver grafts have been reported, as well as several cases of LT using nonagenarian liver grafts with short follow-up.From October 2013 to December 2019, we performed 426 LT. Six LTs used nonagenarian livers (case group) and 49 used octogenarian livers (control group). A comparative analysis was performed between groups. Median donor age was significantly higher in the nonagenarian group than in the octogenarian group (90.6 years versus 83.4 years; (P .001). There was a significant difference in LT indications (P = .026) between the groups, but not in perioperative recipient variables, morbidity, or mortality. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival rates were 67.7% in the recipients of nonagenarian livers and 85.7%, 78.0%, and 74.4%, respectively, in the recipients of octogenarian livers (P = .631). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year graft survival rates were 66.7% in the recipients of nonagenarian livers and 81.3%, 73.8%, and 70.3%, respectively, in the recipients of octogenarian livers (P = .745).The results of LT with nonagenarian liver grafts are not significantly different from those obtained with octogenarian donors, taking into consideration the small sample size and careful selection of donors and adequate donor-recipient matching.

En esta investigación el objetivo principal fue determinar la actividad antioxidante, contenido de fenoles totales, taninos totales y flavonoides totales del hidromiel de saúco (Sambucus peruviana) de cuatro empresas del distrito de Talavera en el año 2019. En consecuencia, se utilizó el método espectrofotométrico con el reactivo DPPH para determinar la actividad antioxidante; con respecto al contenido de fenoles totales con Folin-Ciocalteau; para el contenido de taninos totales se utilizó ácido clorhídrico y para el contenido de flavonoides totales se analizó con el reactivo de tricloruro de aluminio. Por otro lado, los resultados se obtuvieron haciendo un análisis de datos y comparación mediante el DCA que fueron tabulados y evaluados a través del análisis de varianza (ANOVA), mediante la comparación prueba de rango múltiple se determinó la significancia de las medias con un nivel de confianza del 95 %, empleando diferencias mínimas significativas (LSD), donde mostraron el (valor- P < 5 % ) esto explica que se rechazó la hipótesis nula, donde se demostraron que existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas de la actividad antioxidante, el contenido de fenoles totales, taninos totales y flavonoides totales del hidromiel de sauco de cuatro empresas del distrito de Talavera. Donde la empresa Santa Isabel presenta el mayor nivel de actividad antioxidante del hidromiel de sauco (2.830 ± 0.003 mM Eq. trolox/100 mL de hidromiel de sauco), la empresa El Dorado tiene mayor contenido de fenoles totales (3783.38 ± 2.33 mg equivalente de ácido gálico (AGE)/ 100 mL de hidromiel de sauco), la empresa Santa Isabel obtuvo el mayor contenido de taninos totales (12.254 ± 0.022 mg/L de hidromiel de sauco) y la empresa Marqués de Aranjuez muestra mayor contenido de flavonoides totales (335.46 ± 0.00 mg equivalente de quercetina/mL de hidromiel de sauco). Finalmente, se concluye que la empresa Santa Isabel presenta el mayor nivel de actividad antioxidante del hidromiel de sauco, la empresa El Dorado tiene mayor contenido de fenoles totales, la empresa Santa Isabel obtuvo el mayor contenido de taninos totales y la empresa Marqués de Aranjuez muestra mayor contenido de flavonoides del hidromiel de sauco.

Introduction The hepatic cystic tumour is a very rare neoplasm, representing about 5% of all cystic liver neoplasms. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult and can lead to confusion. The aim of this study is to analyze a number of cases operated at our centre with an histologic diagnosis of liver cystic neoplasms and also to describe the sintomathology, diagnosis and management as per the recent classification. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed including all the cystic liver neoplasms operated between January 2000 and December 2019. The study was performed based on the pre-existing pathology archives. The 2010 previous cases were reclassified following the new 2010 OMS classification. Results The study sample was of 10 patients, identifying 6 of them as mucinous cystic liver neoplasms, and the other 4 as intraductal papillary biliary neoplasms. The majority of the patients were women (8/10) and the median age was 47 years. Regarding the treatment, 3 hepatectomy and 7 enucleations were performed. Frozen section intraoperatively was not required in any case. In one case, variable cellular atypia with areas of adenocarcinoma was observed, and the patient received neoadyuvant chemotherapy with taxol and carboplatin. In all cases the resection margins were negative. Conclusion Cystic liver neoplasms are infrequent tumours with a difficult differential diagnosis. Therefore, with a high radiological suspicious, the treatment should be a complete resection to avoid recurrences and malignancies.

Resumen Introduccion La neoplasia quistica hepatica es una neoplasia poco frecuente, que representa aproximadamente el 5% de las lesiones quisticas del higado. El diagnostico preoperatorio es dificil y puede causar confusion. El objetivo del estudio es analizar una serie de casos operados en nuestro centro con diagnostico anatomopatologico de neoplasia quistica hepatica y describir la sintomatologia, diagnostico y tratamiento de acuerdo con la actual clasificacion. Metodos Se realizo un analisis retrospectivo de todas las neoplasias quisticas hepaticas operadas entre enero de 2000 y diciembre de 2019. El estudio se baso en los informes de anatomia patologica ya existentes. Los casos anteriores al 2010 fueron reclasificados segun la clasificacion de la OMS del ano 2010. Resultados La muestra total del estudio resulto en 10 pacientes: 6 fueron neoplasias mucinosas quisticas hepaticas y 4 neoplasias papilares intraductales biliares. La mayoria de los pacientes fueron mujeres (8/10) y la edad media fue de 47 anos. En cuanto al tratamiento, hubo 3 hepatectomias y 7 enucleaciones. En ningun caso se realizo una biopsia intraoperatoria de los margenes quirurgicos. En un caso se observo atipia celular variable con zonas de adenocarcinoma, por lo que el paciente recibio quimioterapia adyuvante con taxol y carboplatino. En todos los casos los margenes de reseccion fueron negativos. Conclusion Las neoplasias quisticas hepaticas son tumores poco frecuentes, que plantean un dilema en el diagnostico diferencial, por lo que, ante la sospecha radiologica, el tratamiento de eleccion deberia ser la reseccion completa del tumor para evitar su malignizacion y la recidiva.

The utilization of livers from donation after uncontrolled circulatory death (uDCD) increases the availability of liver grafts, but it is associated with a higher incidence of biliary complications (BCs) and lower graft survival than those organs donated after brain death. From January 2006 to December 2016, we performed 75 orthotopic liver transplantations (OLTs) using uDCD livers. To investigate the relationship of BCs with the use of uDCD OLT, we compared patients who developed BCs (23 patients) with those who did not (non-BC group, 43 patients) after excluding cases of hepatic artery thrombosis (a known cause of BC) and primary nonfunction. The groups had similar uDCD donor maintenance, donor and recipient characteristics, and perioperative morbidity/mortality rates, but we observed a higher rate of hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis C virus in the non-BC group. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary dilation, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography dilation, Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ), a T-tube, and retransplantation were used for BC management. In the BC group, 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival rates were 91.3%, 69.6%, and 65.2%, respectively, versus 77.8%, 72.9%, and 72.9%, respectively, in the non-BC group (P = 0.89). However, 1-, 3-, and 5-year graft survival rates were 78.3%, 60.9%, and 56.5%, respectively, in the BC group versus 77.8%, 72.9%, and 72.9%, respectively, in the non-BC group (P = 0.38). Multivariate analysis did not indicate independent risk factors for BC development. In conclusion, patient and graft survival rates were generally lower in patients who developed BCs but not significantly so. These complications were managed in the majority of patients through radiological dilation, endoscopic dilation, or Roux-en-Y HJ. Retransplantation is necessary in rare cases after the failure of biliary dilation or surgical procedures.

Difficulty in obtaining adequate abdominal wall closure due to loss of the abdominal domain is a frequent complication of multivisceral, isolated intestinal transplantation and in some cases of liver transplantation. Various methods for primary closure have been proposed, including the use of synthetic and biological meshes, as well as full-thickness abdominal wall and non-vascularized rectus fascia grafts. We describe a novel technique for abdominal wall procurement in which the graft is perfused synchronously with the abdominal organs and can be transplanted as a full-thickness wall or as a non-vascularized rectus fascia graft. We performed six transplants of non-vascularized rectus fascia in three intestinal transplants, one multivisceral transplant, and two liver transplants. The size of the covered abdominal wall defects ranged from 17 cm x 7 cm to 25 cm x 20 cm. Only one patient developed graft infection secondary to enterocutaneous fistula requiring surgical correction and removal of the fascia graft. This patient, as well as two other patients, died due to sepsis. Our procurement technique allows removal of the rectus fascia graft to cover the abdominal wall defect, providing a feasible solution for treatment of abdominal wall defects in recipients after abdominal organ transplantation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The authors did not receive any funding for this work.

Whether immunosuppression impairs severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2‐specific T‐cell‐mediated immunity (SARS‐CoV‐2‐CMI) after liver transplantation (LT) remains unknown. We included 31 LT recipients in whom SARS‐CoV‐2‐CMI was assessed by intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) and interferon (IFN)‐γ FluoroSpot assay after a median of 103 days from COVID‐19 diagnosis. Serum SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG antibodies were measured by ELISA. A control group of non‐transplant immunocompetent patients were matched (1:1 ratio) by age and time from diagnosis. Post‐transplant SARS‐CoV‐2‐CMI was detected by ICS in 90.3% (28/31) of recipients, with higher proportions for IFN‐γ‐producing CD4+ than CD8+ responses (93.5% versus 83.9%). Positive spike‐specific and nucleoprotein‐specific responses were found by FluoroSpot in 86.7% (26/30) of recipients each, whereas membrane protein‐specific response was present in 83.3% (25/30). An inverse correlation was observed between the number of spike‐specific IFN‐γ‐producing SFUs and time from diagnosis (Spearman's rho: ‐0.418; P‐value = 0.024). Two recipients (6.5%) failed to mount either T‐cell‐mediated or IgG responses. There were no significant differences between LT recipients and non‐transplant patients in the magnitude of responses by FluoroSpot to any of the antigens. Most LT recipients mount detectable —but declining over time— SARS‐CoV‐2‐CMI after a median of 3 months from COVID‐19, with no meaningful differences with immunocompetent patients.

Abdominal wall transplantation has been consolidated as an alternative to primary abdominal wall closure in intestinal and multiple organ transplant recipients. Given that it is feasible to obtain the visceral graft and the abdominal wall graft from the same donor, abdominal wall transplantation could offer satisfactory outcomes and be easily coordinated. Non-vascularized fascia is one of the alternatives for abdominal wall closure in transplantation. We report two cases of non-vascularized fascia transplantation in intestinal and multivisceral transplants, respectively. Both donors were young (23 and 18 years old). Both recipients had endured multiple previous surgeries, and no surgical alternatives for primary wall repair could be offered. In both cases, a complete abdominal wall flap was retrieved from the donor, however, due to the characteristics of the recipient's abdominal wall defect, only non-vascularized fascia was used after removing skin and subcutaneous cellular tissue from the graft. Abdominal wall transplantation is an option to consider for abdominal wall closure in patients with multiple previous surgeries and no alternatives for primary wall repair.

Resumen El cierre de la pared abdominal despues del trasplante de organos abdominales, especialmente en los casos de trasplante intestinal y multivisceral, sigue siendo un reto en muchos pacientes debido al importante numero de intervenciones previas al trasplante, asi como al edema de asas que dichos injertos presentan. Ante la imposibilidad de cierre primario y debido a las complicaciones en el uso de mallas, surge la opcion del trasplante de la pared abdominal. Existen diversas opciones para dicho procedimiento, desde el empleo unicamente de la fascia no vascularizada hasta el trasplante de espesor completo de la pared abdominal. Revisamos la literatura en cuanto al uso de los injertos referidos y presentamos 2 casos de trasplante de fascia no vascularizada realizados en nuestra unidad de trasplante.

AIM To increase the number of available grafts. METHODS This is a single-center comparative analysis performed between April 1986 and May 2016. Two hundred and twelve liver transplantation (LT) were performed with donors ≥ 70 years old (study group). Then, we selected the first cases that were performed with donors < 70 years old immediately after the ones that were performed with donors ≥ 70 years old (control group). RESULTS Graft and patient survivals were similar between both groups without increasing the risk of complications, especially primary non-function, vascular complications and biliary complications. We identified 5 risk factors as independent predictors of graft survival: recipient hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positivity [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.35; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.55-3.56; P = 0.00]; recipient age (HR = 1.04; 95%CI: 1.02-1.06; P = 0.00); donor age X model for end-stage liver disease (D-MELD) (HR = 1.00; 95%CI: 1.00-1.00; P = 0.00); donor value of serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (HR = 1.00; 95%CI: 1.00-1.00; P = 0.00); and donor value of serum sodium (HR = 0.96; 95%CI: 0.94-0.99; P = 0.00). After combining D-MELD and recipient age we obtained a new scoring system that we called DR-MELD (donor age X recipient age X MELD). Graft survival significantly decreased in patients with a DR-MELD score ≥ 75000, especially in HCV patients (77% vs 63% at 5 years in HCV-negative patients, P = 0.00; and 61% vs 25% at 5 years in HCV-positive patients; P = 0.00). CONCLUSION A DR-MELD ≥ 75000 must be avoided in order to obtain the best results in LT with donors ≥ 70 years old.

Resumen Introduccion La quimioembolizacion transarterial (QETA) es considerada una opcion terapeutica utilizada en el tratamiento del carcinoma hepatocelular y de las metastasis hepaticas secundarias del carcinoma colorrectal, tumores neuroendocrinos y melanoma ocular. Aunque es un procedimiento seguro, no esta exento de complicaciones, siendo la mas frecuente la colecistitis aguda. Otras complicaciones descritas son el tromboembolismo pulmonar, el absceso hepatico, lesiones de la mucosa gastrointestinal, lesiones de la via biliar, etc. El objetivo principal del estudio es revisar y describir las complicaciones derivadas de la QETA en el tratamiento de los tumores hepaticos. Metodos Se ha realizado un analisis retrospectivo de todas las QETA practicadas en nuestro centro entre enero de 2013 y diciembre de 2016. En dicho periodo se realizaron 322 QETA en 196 pacientes. Resultados Del total de procedimientos, 258 (80%) fueron realizados en hombres y 64 (20%) en mujeres. Ademas, la edad media de los pacientes fue de 66,5 anos. Las complicaciones mayores derivadas de la QETA fueron descompensacion edemo-ascitica (6 casos), colecistitis aguda (4), pancreatitis aguda (3), rotura hepatica (1), absceso hepatico (1) y deterioro de la funcion renal (1). Ademas, el sindrome postembolizacion se objetivo en 71 (22%) casos. En el analisis multivariante se observo que el antecedente cardiovascular (OR: 4,5; IC 95%: 1,2-17; p = 0,025) es un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de complicaciones post-QETA. Conclusiones Las complicaciones derivadas de la QETA son poco frecuentes y con una baja incidencia de mortalidad.

Introduction Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is considered a therapeutic option. It is mostly used in hepatocellular carcinoma or liver colorectal, neuroendocrine or melanoma metastases. Although it is considered a safe procedure, TACE presents complications, such as acute cholecystitis, which is the most common. Other procedure-related complications include pulmonary embolism, hepatic abscess, bile duct injury, gastric mucosa injury and, less frequently, acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study is to review the complications following TACE for liver tumors. Methods We performed a retrospective study including all the TACE procedures performed in a single center during the period between January 2013 and December 2016. Results Out of the 196 patients with liver tumors who had undergone 322 TACE, 258 (80%) were male and 64 (20%) were female. Mean patient age was 66.5 years. Major complications after chemoembolization included: decompensation with edema/ascites (6 patients), acute cholecystitis (4), acute pancreatitis (3), liver rupture (1), liver abscess (1) and renal failure (1). Postembolization syndrome appeared in 71 (20%) patients. On multivariate analysis, it was observed that concomitant cardiovascular disease (OR: 4.5; 95% CI: 1.2–17; P=.025) is a risk factor for the development of complications. Conclusions TACE is a safe and effective procedure for liver tumor treatment. The majority of the complications are rare and present a low incidence of mortality.

Controversy exists regarding whether the rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) differs when using livers from donation after controlled circulatory death (DCD) versus livers from donation after brain death (DBD). The aim of this cohort study was to analyze rates of HCC recurrence, patient survival, and graft survival after OLT for HCC, comparing recipients of DBD livers (n=103) with recipients of uncontrolled DCD livers (uDCD; n=41). No significant differences in tumor size, tumor number, serum alpha-fetoprotein, proportion of patients within Milan criteria, or pre-OLT bridging therapies were identified between groups, although the waitlist period was significantly shorter in the uDCD group (p=0.04). HCC recurrence was similar between groups. Patient survival was similar between groups, but graft survival was lower in the uDCD group. Multivariate analysis identified recipient age (p=0.03), pre-OLT bridging therapy (p=0.02), and HCC recurrence (p=0.04) as independent risk factors for patient survival and pre-OLT transarterial chemoembolization (p=0.04) as the single risk factor for HCC recurrence. In conclusion, similar patient survival and lower graft survival were observed in the uDCD group. However, the use of uDCD livers appears to be justified due to shorter waitlist time and similar HCC recurrence in both groups.

Controversy exists regarding whether the rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) differs when using livers from donation after controlled circulatory death (DCD) versus livers from donation after brain death (DBD). The aim of this cohort study was to analyze rates of HCC recurrence, patient survival, and graft survival after OLT for HCC, comparing recipients of DBD livers (n = 103) with recipients of uncontrolled DCD livers (uDCD; n = 41). No significant differences in tumor size, tumor number, serum alpha-fetoprotein, proportion of patients within Milan criteria, or pre-OLT bridging therapies were identified between groups, although the waitlist period was significantly shorter in the uDCD group (p = 0.040). HCC recurrence was similar between groups. Patient survival was similar between groups, but graft survival was lower in the uDCD group. Multivariate analysis identified recipient age (p = 0.031), pre-OLT bridging therapy (p = 0.024), and HCC recurrence (p = 0.048) as independent risk factors for patient survival and pre-OLT transarterial chemoembolization (p = 0.045) as the single risk factor for HCC recurrence. In conclusion, similar patient survival and lower graft survival were observed in the uDCD group. However, the use of uDCD livers appears to be justified due to a shorter waitlist time, and lower waitlist dropout and HCC recurrence rates.