Transplantation proceedings
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The incidence of urological complications after kidney transplantation varies from 3% to 14%, with a probable loss of the graft in 10% to 15% of cases and a mortality rate of up to 15%, despite improvements in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment as well as the use of new immunosuppressive therapies. Urinous fistulae, which are considered early complications of transplantation, are due to ischemic damage or necrosis generally occurring in the distal third of the ureter. Preservation of accessory arteries to the lower portion of the kidney is important, as they may constitute the blood supply of this segment of the collecting system or ureter. Their ligation may lead to necrosis and urinary fistulae. Ureteral stenosis, as late complication, is related to a pathology of the ureter itself, to infections, to abscesses, to fibrosis, and to ischemia. An early endoscopic approach permits resolution in 70% of cases. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine incidence and treatment of these complications. ⋯ In all patients who showed fistulae we suggest surgical review: for patients with ureteral stenosis, we suggest first an endourological approach and only when it is not successful do we consider surgical treatment.
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The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of 2 variables: pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) and right ventricular end diastolic volume index (RVEDVI) as predictors of the hemodynamic response to fluid challenge as well as definition of the overall correlation between RVEDVI and change in PAOP, right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), central venous pressure (CVP), and determination of the right ventricular function during orthotopic liver transplantation. ⋯ RVEDVI may be the best clinical estimate of right ventricular preload. In fact, minor changes of RVEF have been recorded, confirming that RV function was not altered during uncomplicated orthotopic liver transplantation.
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Multivisceral transplants are gaining acceptance worldwide for patients with chronic gastrointestinal failure with or without irreversible total parenteral nutrition (TPN)-related liver failure. We describe our experience with nine multivisceral harvests reporting our in vivo technique. Multivisceral grafts included stomach, duodenum, pancreas, small bowel, and part of large intestine with or without the liver. ⋯ Four recipients died: there was one intraoperative death due to disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Another patient underwent graftectomy 1 day after transplantation due to vascular thrombosis. In conclusion, our in vivo technique allows a shorter ischemia time with a minimal postreperfusion bleeding and reduced production of lymphatic ascites, without jeopardizing organ function.
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The shortage of donated organs has become a problem in transplantation throughout the world. Transplant teams are looking for other ways to increase and improve the donor pool. ⋯ The results obtained by our team should stimulate other centers to implement this kind of donation in their hospitals. We describe our experience in the policy of non-heart-beating donation and encourage transplant centers to develop such a program.
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We sought to report the usefulness of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in heart transplant patients. ⋯ Fast operating room or bedside implantation of a peripheral ECMO allows the physician to stabilize the hemodynamic status of patients with cardiac graft failure, potentially leading toward myocardial recovery.