Background: Intraoperative temporary portocaval shunt (TPCS) has been performed during liver transplant to improve hemodynamics and renal function as well as to decrease bleeding during hepatectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of TPCS on liver transplant in a long-term single-center study.
Methods: From January 2006 to December 2018, all deceased donor transplants were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided in 2 groups: group 1, including those in whom intraoperative TPCS was performed and group 2, including those without TPCS. We analyzed recipient characteristics, survival, mortality, and complication rates in the intraoperative and postoperative periods.
Results: A total of 999 deceased donor liver transplants were studied, with 509 patients in group 1 and 490 in group 2. There were 156 cases (15.61%) of preoperative portal vein thrombosis in the whole series. Postoperative renal function (P = .029) as well as length of hospital and intensive care unit stay (P = .0001) were better in group 1. Surgery time and warm ischemia time was also shorter in group 1 (P = .0001). Complications with Clavien-Dindo score ≥ 3 were higher in group 2 (P = .006). Multivariate analysis showed important risk with fulminant hepatitis (odds ratio, 2.127; 95% CI, 1.408-3.213; P < .0001) and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease > 29 (odds ratio, 2.492; 95% CI, 1.862-3.336; P < .0001). Overall survival in group 1 at 1, 5, and 10 years were 78%, 70%, and 68%, respectively. In group 2, they were 70%, 60%, and 58%, respectively (P = .027).
Conclusions: Patients who underwent intraoperative TPCS presented better postoperative renal function, less intraoperative blending, shorter surgical and warm ischemia time, shorter length of hospital and intensive care unit stay, and better overall survival after transplant. Moreover, TPCS should be used patients with severe conditions, such as fulminant hepatitis and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score > 29.
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