Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Comparative Study
Longterm outcomes for whole and segmental liver grafts in adult and pediatric liver transplant recipients: a 10-year comparative analysis of 2,988 cases.
Data on longterm outcomes after liver transplantation with partial grafts are limited. We compared 10-year outcomes for liver transplant patients who received whole grafts (WLT), split grafts from deceased donors (SLT), and partial grafts from living donors (LDLT). ⋯ Longterm graft survival rates in both adults and children for segmental grafts from deceased and living donors are comparable with those in whole organ liver transplantation. In adults, patient survival was lower for split compared with whole grafts when used in retransplantations and in critically ill recipients. Split graft-to-recipient matching is crucial for optimal organ allocation and best use of a scarce and precious resource.
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The Institute of Medicine has urged the adoption of electronic prescribing systems in all health-care organizations by 2010. Accordingly, computerized physician order entry (CPOE) warrants detailed evaluation. Mixed results have been reported about the benefit of this system. No review of its application in surgical patients has been reported to date. We present the implementation of CPOE in the management of surgical patients within an academic multispecialty practice. ⋯ Present CPOE technology can allow major efficiency gains, but refinements will be required for improvements in patient safety.
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Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remains a major source of morbidity, mortality, and expense in the ICU despite therapies directed against it. ⋯ A systematic, monitored program of standardized care protocols can markedly reduce VAP rate in the ICU.
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The Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) is an NIH-sponsored registry of US FDA-approved mechanical circulatory support devices (MCSDs) used for destination therapy, bridge to transplantation (BTT), or recovery of the heart. INTERMACS data were analyzed through the most recent quarter ending March 31, 2008. ⋯ INTERMACS has increasing participation among domestic MCSD centers. The influence of preimplantation patient condition on survival underscores the importance of timely referral before critical cardiogenic shock occurs. As more devices achieve US FDA approval, INTERMACS will become useful for comparing MCSDs.
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Thromboses of the hepatic artery (HAT) and portal vein (PVT) may complicate orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and result in graft loss and mortality. Revision and retransplantation are treatment options, but their longterm outcomes remain undefined. This study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of major vascular complications after OLT, determine efficacy of therapies, and identify factors influencing longterm outcomes. ⋯ Both HAT and PVT significantly reduce graft survival after OLT; PVT more adversely affects patient survival. Revision and thrombolysis rarely salvage grafts after HAT; retransplantation provides superior short-term, but not longterm, survival. Avoidance of vascular complications in OLT is critical, especially with today's scarcity of donor livers. Early atraumatic CHA occlusion significantly reduces the incidence of HAT.