Diaphragmatic hernia (DH) is one of the rare complications without the confirmed risk factors following pediatric liver transplantation (pLT). To analyze the clinical characteristics and risk factors of DH after pLT. A retrospective analysis of 15 DH cases after pLT among 1,863 cases of pLT from January 2014 to June 2024 was conducted. Using propensity score matching (PSM), DH patients (n = 15) were matched 1:3 with non-DH recipients (n = 45). DH cases were stratified into early-onset (≤ 3 months, n = 6) and late-onset (> 3 months, n = 9) groups according to the interval from LT surgery to DH diagnosis. Comparative analyses were performed to characterize DH and identify risk factors. DH incidence was approximately 0.8

BACKGROUND:The size mismatch between a liver graft and the recipient can result in complications and poor survival after pediatric whole liver transplantation (WLT). METHODS:A retrospective study was designed, which included 114 recipients. Multiple variable predictors of graft loss suggested the graft-to-native-liver weight ratio (GNLWR), and then the GNLWR was calculated and categorized into 2 groups. The demographic, operation, complications, and survival analysis data were collected and compared. RESULTS:Group 1 with a GNLWR < 0.41 had a higher incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and lower graft survival in the first 3 months (70.4% vs 96.6%, P < .001). Patient survival at 3 months was significantly different between groups (85.2% vs 97.7%, P = .010). As for the graft survival rate, it was 70.4% for group 1 at both 1 and 3 years, whereas it was 94.2% for group 2 at both 1 and 3 years. Additionally, the patient survival rate for group 1 was 85.2% at both 1 and 3 years, whereas for group 2, it was 95.4% at both 1 and 3 years. Further analysis showed the PELD score was the only independent risk factor for graft loss in the group with GNLWR < 0.41. It indicated a worse prognosis when the PELD score was more than 23.5. CONCLUSIONS:A GNLWR of less than 0.41 suggested a poor prognosis for grafts in pediatric WLT recipients with biliary atresia weighing less than 10 kg. Reducing blood transfusions may help improve graft survival.

Background. Optimizing the immunosuppressive regimen is essential to improve the long-term outcomes of pediatric liver transplant recipients. Methods. We conducted a prospective, randomized, open-label study to compare the safety and efficacy of 2 treatment approaches during pediatric liver transplantation: tacrolimus monotherapy following basiliximab induction (the study group) and a dual regimen of tacrolimus plus steroids (the control group). A total of 150 patients were enrolled, with 75 patients allocated to each group. Results. In both groups, recipients achieved graft and recipient overall survival rates exceeding 93%, with no statistically significant differences between them. However, the study group exhibited a significantly lower incidence of acute cellular rejection (ACR), delayed occurrence of ACR, and an improved ACR-free survival rate at 2 y compared with the control group. Notably, the study group also showed a significant reduction in the incidence of de novo donor-specific antibodies at 3-mo and 2-y posttransplant. Furthermore, 6 mo after the transplant, the study group demonstrated significant improvements in weight-for-age Z score and height-for-age Z score. No notable differences were observed in postoperative complications or the incidence of liver fibrosis between the 2 groups. Conclusions. Basiliximab induction combine with tacrolimus (TAC) monotherapy is a safe and effective immunosuppressive regimen to reduce the episodes of ACR without influencing the development of liver fibrosis and graft and recipient survival rate after pediatric liver transplantation.

Objective:To explore the reconstruction strategy and technical selection of S3 hepatic vein with middle hepatic vein confluence in pediatric liver transplantation(LT)using living donor left lateral segment to lower the risk of vascular complications caused by variant grafts.Methods:From January 2015 to June 2021, retrospective analysis is performed for 840 consecutive cases of pediatric living donor LT using left lateral segment(LLS).There are 32 cases of S3 hepatic vein with middle hepatic vein confluence with an overall incidence of 3.81%.Individualized reconstruction strategies are implemented according to the specific conditions of variation and different interposition vessels available: group I unification venoplasty technique with interposition vein graft is employed for reconstructing HV from grafts, prolonged S3 is formed into a single opening with S2 and then anastomosed with recipient(21 cases); group Ⅱ dual HV reconstructions were performed(11 cases); venoplasty of recipients'LHV, MHV and inferior vena cava(IVC)is performed for creating a large orifice for anastomosis with S2 HV from graft and S3 is anastomosed with stump of recipient right HV directly or interposed blood vessels.Clinical features and prognosis of two groups, the incidence, treatment and prognosis of HVOO and the incidence of HVOO between variant and non-variant groups were compared.Results:The median follow-up time of variant group(32 cases)is 23.8 month with an incidence of HVOO at 15.6%.During the same period, the non-variant group incidence of HVOO is 4.5%.There is inter-group statistical difference( P=0.014).The only statistical difference between groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ is ultrasonic blood flow velocity of S3 HV at 14 POD [(39.15±16.37)vs(20.05±8.52)cm/s, P=0.001].HVOO occurred in 7 cases and 6 cases respectively in groupⅠ and group Ⅱ.There is no statistical difference( P=0.310).There are no intractable vascular complications.Long-term vascular patency of allogeneic and autologous interposition vein is satisfactory and there is no graft failure or mortality related to HVOO. Conclusions:Selecting strategies and techniques for reconstructing S3 hepatic vein with middle hepatic vein confluence at our center are reasonable, safe and effective.And the overall treatment efficacy is satisfactory.Reasonable selection of multidimensional reconstruction methods and accurate application of various technologies are conducive to improving patient prognosis.

Objective:To explore the relationship between serum lactate level and early prognosis after liver transplantation (LT) in children.Methods:Between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020, 675 pediatric LT recipients were recruited. Clinical data were retrospectively reviewed, early postoperative serum lactate level and clearance rate recorded and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve plotted for determining optimal cut-off values. The inter-group differences in early postoperative complications and patient/graft survival rates were compared.Results:According to ROC, blood lactate levels >1.99 mmol/L at 12 h postoperatively were associated with early postoperative graft loss (AUC 0.73, 95% CI: 0.62-0.84, P=0.01). Age and weight of recipients in high-level group were 7.17(5.70-10.40) month and 7.00(6.00-8.60) kg and both were significantly lower than those in low-level group [7.80(6.21-13.58) month and 7.20(6.45-9.00) kg]. The inter-group differences were statistically significant ( P=0.017, P=0.034). Blood plasma transfusion volume, red blood cell transfusion volume, portal vein pressure pre-closure, postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) stay, ventilator use time, early allograft dysfunction rate, early postoperative pulmonary infection rate and recipient mortality rate in high-level group were 400 (200-400) ml, 2.00 (2.00-4.00) U, (15.71±4.44) mmHg, 2.50(2.00-3.00) day, 3.81(2.47-8.50) hour, 22.95%(42/185), 16.76%(31/185) and 6.49%(12/185) respectively. The above values were significantly higher than those in low-level group 200(100-400) ml, 2.00 (2.00-3.00) U, (14.69±4.68) mmHg, 2.00(2.00-3.00) day, 3.53(2.34-6.12) hour, 14.69%(72/490), 11.02%(54/490) and 1.43%(7/490) respectively. The inter-group differences were statistically significant ( P<0.001, P=0.014, P=0.015, P=0.037, P=0.043, P=0.011, P=0.045 & P<0.001). The incidence of early postoperative acute cellular rejection was significantly lower in high-level group than that in low-level group [11.89%(22/185) vs 22.86%(112/490)]. The inter-group difference was statistically significant ( P=0.01). The 1/3-month cumulative survival rates of patient/graft were 94.6%, 94.1% and 92.4%, 91.4% in high-level group versus 99.2%, 98.6% and 99.0%, 98.4% in low-level group. There were significant inter-group differences ( P=0, P<0.000 1). With a rising level of lactate at 12 h postoperatively, risk of early graft loss and early recipient mortality spiked markedly ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Serum lactate level post-operation is a valid predictor of early prognosis after LT in children.

We investigated the clinical characteristics and therapeutic strategies for paediatric liver transplant (PLT) recipients who experienced de novo hepatitis B virus infection and the features of HBsAg seroconversion. A total of 821 PLT were performed in HBV-free recipients between January 2013 and January 2019 in Paediatric Organ Transplant Center, Tianjin First Central Hospital. Twenty-one recipients developed de novo HBV infection, the clinical data were analysed. The overall incidence of de novo HBV infection was 2.5%. Only one recipient received an HBcAb-negative graft, 20 recipients received HBcAb-positive grafts. The incidence of de novo HBV infection in HBcAb-negative and HBcAb-positive graft recipients were 0.2% and 6.3%, respectively. Fifteen de novo HBV-infected recipients showed HBsAg seroconversion, the incidence of HBsAg seroconversion was 71.4%. The median time from the diagnosis of de novo HBV infection to HBsAg seroconversion was 15 (1, 73) months. Recipients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) titre <1000 IU/L and negative hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) at the time of de novo HBV infection diagnosis were more likely to achieve HBsAg seroconversion. Nucleotide analogues were effective in treating recipients with de novo HBV infection. De novo HBV infection does not impact liver graft function as well as recipient and graft survival rate. De novo HBV infection does not impact PLT recipient outcomes under close monitoring and appropriate treatment. High incidence of HBsAg seroconversion can be achieved after anti-viral therapy.

Objective:To explore the correlation between the percentage of eosinophils in peripheral blood and the occurrence of acute rejection and evaluate the predictive value of the percentage of eosinophils in blood for early rejection in children after liver transplantation (LT).Methods:From January 2019 to December 2020, clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for children undergoing LT.They were divided into two groups of acute rejection and non-rejection based upon the pathological findings of liver biopsy within 6 months.The mean percentage of early postoperative eosinophil was compared between two groups.With a contour graph, repeated measurement ANOVA was performed for determining the correlation with the occurrence of acute rejection.And receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted for determining the critical mean percentage of eosinophil during an early stage of rejection.Results:A total of 396 children undergoing LT were recruited.The postoperative incidence of early acute rejection was 17.93%(71/396). After stratification by age (0~1y/1-6y/>6y), the mean percentage of eosinophil during an early postoperative period was significantly correlated with the occurrence of rejection within 6 months in children aged 0~1 years, but not in children of other ages.The results of repeated measurement indicated that the mean percentage of eosinophil in acute rejection group was significantly higher than that in non-rejection group among children aged 0~1 ( F=25.38, P<0.001). ROC curve of the mean percentage of eosinophil predicting the rejection reaction at 1~7 days showed that its area under curve (AUC) was 0.743 (95% CI: 0.668-0.817) with a sensitivity of 65%, a specificity of 74%, a critical value of 3.23%, a positive predictive value of 31.18% and a negative predictive value of 91.05%. Conclusion:Among pediatric LT recipients, the mean percentage of eosinophil at Day 1-7 has certain predictive value for the occurrence of acute rejection after LT in children aged 0~1 years.With high specificity and negative predictive value, it may be utilized as an indicator of early risk screening.

1 临床资料 患儿男性,3岁7个月.上腹包块伴腹壁静脉曲张4个月入院.CT显示:肿瘤位于肝脏右叶、左内叶、尾状叶,约62 mm×57 mm×50 mm,肝后下腔静脉、肝右静脉、肝中静脉和心房内异常占位性病变,无远处转移.诊断:① 肝母细胞瘤(Ⅰ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ、Ⅶ、Ⅷ段),伴下腔静脉肾静脉水平以上、肝右静脉、肝中静脉以及右心房瘤栓形成;② 继发性布-加综合征,腹水.2020年1月8日于本院小儿肝移植科行自体肝移植.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of reduced left lateral segment graft during pediatric living donor liver transplantation.Methods:From January 2014 to December 2019, 67 children aged under 1 year underwent living donor liver transplantation with reduced left lateral segment graft (RLLS group). Clinical data were analyzed retrospectively and compared with those of left lateral segmentgraft living donor liver transplantation (LLS group). The differences in basic profiles, postoperative complications and postoperative patient/graft survival rate were compared.They were divided into two groups according to whether graft/recipient weight ratio (GRWR) was more than 4%.And major postoperative complications and graft/recipient survival rates were compared.Results:Age, height and weight of recipients were significantly lower in RLLS group than those in control group ( P<0.05). However, donor weight, donor body mass index (BMI), estimated graft volume and proportion of fatty liver from donor were significantly higher than those in control group ( P<0.05). Operative duration, intraoperative blood loss and erythrocyte transfusion were significantly higher than those in control group ( P<0.05). No significant inter-group differences existed in average postoperative hospital stay, intensive care unit (ICU) stay duration or postoperative ventilator use time ( P>0.05); no significant inter-group difference existed in the incidence of such major surgical complications as hepatic artery thrombosis, portal vein stenosis and bile duct complications ( P>0.05). The 1/3-year cumulative survival rates of postoperative patients and grafts were 92.5%, 91.2% and 92.5%, 91.2% in RLLS group and 96.3%, 95.3% and 95.9%, 95.1% in LLS group respectively.There was no significant inter-group difference ( P<0.05). The rate of postoperative hepatic vein stenosis was significantly higher in GRWR>4% group than that in control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Due to a rapid progress of technology, living donor liver transplantation has achieved satisfactory outcomes in children with reduced left lateral segment graft.Whether or not performing reduction surgery should be judged comprehensively according to the matching of donors and recipients and blood flow of liver during operations.And GRWR>4% is not an implementation criterion.