Effects of everolimus plus minimized tacrolimus on kidney function in liver transplantation: REDUCE, a prospective, randomized controlled study.

Background And Aim: reduction in calcineurin inhibitor levels is considered crucial to decrease the incidence of kidney dysfunction in liver transplant (LT) recipients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and impact of everolimus plus reduced tacrolimus (EVR + rTAC) vs. mycophenolate mofetil plus tacrolimus (MMF + TAC) on kidney function in LT recipients from Spain.

Avances en tumores del estroma gastrointestinal: ¿hacia dónde vamos?

Gastrointestinal Stromal Sarcomas (GIST) are mesenchymal neoplasms whose incidence accounts for 1-2% of digestive tumors, being located in the stomach (55-60%) and small intestine (30%). The advances in its knowledge and management succeeded in the last years have being spectacular. This review aims to summarize the most important of them for surgeons.

Results of a survey on peri-operative nutritional support in pancreatic and biliary surgery in Spain.

Introduction: a survey on peri-operative nutritional support in pancreatic and biliary surgery among Spanish hospitals in 2007 showed that few surgical groups followed the 2006 ESPEN guidelines. Ten years later we sent a questionnaire to check the current situation. Methods: a questionnaire with 21 items sent to 38 centers, related to fasting time before and after surgery, nutritional screening use and type, time and type of peri-operative nutritional support, and number of procedures.

A multidrug LC-MS/MS method for the determination of five immunosuppressants in oral fluid.

This study aimed: to develop and validate an LC-MS/MS method for mycophenolic acid, tacrolimus, sirolimus, everolimus and cyclosporin A in oral fluid (OF), as an essential tool to study the usefulness of OF as an alternative matrix for immunossuppressants' therapeutic drug monitoring; and to find the best OF collector for these analytes. Chromatographic separation was achieved using an XBridge Shield RP18 analytical column maintained at 65ºC, using 2 mM ammonium formate and 0.1% formic acid in water (A) and acetonitrile (B) as mobile phase.

Resolution of giant biliary collection by spontaneous colon fistulization.

The treatment of bile collections is divided into: expectant attitude with radiological monitoring of the size and characteristics of the collection, percutaneous drainage guided by imaging tests (US/CT), endoscopic drainage depending on location and accessibility and surgical treatment. The clinical case of a man undergoing a scheduled hepatectomy was observerd, who presented a large asymptomatic subcapsular collection suggestive of bilioma, with progressive increase in size, spontaneously presenting a decrease until its resolution by fistulization to the hepatic angle of the colon confirmed by Radiological findings. The spontaneously formation of biliary fistulas to the colon is due to the extrinsic pressure of the collection on the intestinal wall with necrosis of the contact zone, being its presentation and radiological documentation exceptional.

Recommendations of everolimus use in liver transplant.

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, everolimus (EVL) and sirolimus are immunosuppressive agents with a minor nephrotoxic effect, limited to the development of proteinuria in some cases. The combination of EVL and low-dose tacrolimus has proven to be as safe and effective as standard therapy with tacrolimus for the prevention of acute cellular rejection. Early initiation of EVL-based immunosuppressive regimens with reduced exposure to calcineurin inhibitors has been shown to significantly improve renal function of LT recipients during induction and maintenance phases, with comparable efficacy and safety profiles.

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Brussels, Belgium. 15-18 March 2016.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.].

Differences in the incidence and clinical evolution of early neurotoxicity after liver transplantation based on tacrolimus formulation used in the immunosuppressive induction protocol.

Introduction: Posttransplant early calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-induced neurotoxicity (ECIIN) was related to high CNI levels, among other factors. Minimizing exposure could modify its incidence or clinical evolution.

Objective: To compare the incidence, predisposing factors, and clinical evolution of ECIIN after immunosuppressive induction with low-dose tacrolimus-MR (Advagraf) or conventional dose tacrolimus (Prograf).

Late recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation: is an active surveillance for recurrence needed?

Introduction: Liver transplantation (OLT) is considered the most efficient therapeutic option for patients with liver cirrhosis and early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in terms of overall survival and recurrence rates, when restrictive selection criteria are applied. Nevertheless, tumor recurrence may occur in 3.5% to 21% of recipients.

[Basiliximab in the treatment of acute steroid-resistant rejection after liver transplantation].

We present the case of a liver transplant recipient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma who developed biopsy-proven acute steroid-resistant rejection 3 months after liver transplantation. After the failure of immunosuppressive therapy with intravenous boluses of 6-methyl-prednisolone and switching of the immunosuppressive regimen to tacrolimus plus mycophenolate mofetil, two doses of intravenous basiliximab were administered four days apart. Clinical, analytical, and biopsy-proven histological response was complete.

Strategies of immunosuppression for liver transplant recipients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Liver transplantation is considered to be the most efficient therapeutic option for patients with liver cirrhosis and early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in terms of overall survival and recurrence rate. The application of restrictive selection criteria based on tumor size and number of nodules is advised to obtain optimal results. Nevertheless, tumor recurrence occurs in 3.

Improvement of renal function after conversion to mycophenolate mofetil combined with low-level calcineurin inhibitor in liver transplant recipients with chronic renal dysfunction.

Introduction: Calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) are the main pathogenic factors for renal dysfunction in solid organ transplant recipients. Introduction of non-nephrotoxic immunosuppressive drugs, such as mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), may allow discontinuation or reduction of CNI treatment, thereby improving renal function. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, efficacy and safety of MMF introduction and CNI dosage reduction in the maintenance immunosuppressive protocol to improve renal function in liver transplant recipients with chronic renal dysfunction.

The future of liver transplantation.

Liver transplantation has been a positive impact on both the survival and the quality of life of patients with advanced liver diseases. Progressive, spectacular improvements in the results of liver transplantation have been observed since the preliminary studies by Thomas Starzl in the United States and Roy Calne in Europe. This improvement is related to better knowledge of the natural history of liver diseases, allowing more adequate recipient selection, improvement of surgical techniques, progress in postoperative management, availability of potent antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal drugs, as well as introduction of new immunosuppressive agents and protocols.

Valganciclovir-induced leukopenia in liver transplant recipients: influence of concomitant use of mycophenolate mofetil.

Introduction: An increased incidence and magnitude of leukopenia during concomitant treatment with valganciclovir (VGC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has been reported.

Objective: To evalute the incidence and severity of leukopenia and neutropenia among liver recipients treated with VGC and related factors.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical and analytical data related to leukopenia (<3000 leukocytes/mm(3)) and neutropenia (<900 neutrophils/mm(3)) in liver transplant patients who were treated with VGC from 2003 to 2007.

[Influence of donor age and recipient gender on survival in transplantation due to hepatocarcinoma].

Hepatocarcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent indications for liver transplantation. Survival in patients undergoing transplantation due to HCC is similar to that in patients undergoing this procedure for other indications. However, the current shortage of donors has led to longer waiting lists with a consequent risk of tumor progression.

[Surgical complications after kidney transplantation. Research based on 185 cases].

Objective: To analyze the incidence of surgical complications its diagnosis and treatment after renal transplantation.

Methods: A retrospective study measuring the incidence of surgical complications and reviewing its diagnosis and treatment in 185 renal single transplants.

Results: 185 transplants, 27% had surgical complications.

[De novo hepatitis B with anti-HBc negative in a liver transplant recipient [corrected]].

De novo hepatitis B was diagnosed in a 47-year-old man 15 months after liver transplantation for end-stage alcoholic cirrhosis. Serum antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were negative, and remained undetectable over 20 months of follow-up. The possible causes of negative serum anti-HBc despite of active hepatitis B virus infection are reviewed.

[Ureteral implantation in peritoneum. Exceptional complication in renal transplantation].

Because of the extraperitoneal location, generally used for renal grafting, intraperitoneal urine leaks are a rare complication after transplantation. We report a patient on peritoneal dialysis who developed ascites, abdominal pain, anuria and shock suddenly after renal transplantation. The patient was immediately taken back to the operating room.