Rapid temporary portosystemic bypass.

Extracorporeal venovenous bypass has been almost eliminated by the use of piggyback orthotopic liver transplantation. In some instances, a temporary internal portocaval shunt is constructed to relieve hemodynamic instability. We describe a quick and simple technique in which a short plastic cannula is used to bridge the distance between portal vein and IVC.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients who have undergone liver transplantation.

Purpose: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement is an accepted treatment for refractory variceal bleeding and/or ascites in end-stage liver disease and is an effective bridge to liver transplantation. The authors present their experience with TIPS in patients with a liver transplant, who subsequently developed portal hypertension.

Materials And Methods: Thirteen TIPS were placed in 12 adult patients from 6 months to 13 years after liver transplantation for variceal bleeding that failed endoscopic treatment (n = 6) and intractable ascites (n = 6).

A prospective, randomized trial to compare tacrolimus and prednisone with and without mycophenolate mofetil in patients undergoing renal transplantation: first report.

Purpose: Between September 20, 1995 and September 20, 1996, 120 patients were entered into a prospective, randomized trial comparing tacrolimus and prednisone with (61) and without (59) 2 gm. mycophenolate mofetil daily to determine whether mycophenolate mofetil was associated with a lower incidence of rejection.

Materials And Methods: Mean recipient age plus or minus standard deviation was 50.

Clinical outcome of patients infected with hepatitis C virus infection on survival after primary liver transplantation under tacrolimus.

The outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on patient and graft survival after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has been controversial. An earlier experience with a higher dose of tacrolimus (>/=0.1 mg/kg/d intravenously and >/=0.

Hepatic resection and transplantation for peripheral cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Recent publications have questioned the role of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in treating advanced or unresectable peripheral cholangiocarcinoma (Ch-Ca).

Study Design: We reviewed our experience with Ch-Ca to determine survival rates, recurrence patterns, and risk factors in 54 patients who underwent either hepatic resection or OLT between 1981 and 1994. Liver transplantation was performed in patients with unresectable tumors (n = 12) and in those with advanced cirrhosis (n = 8).