Simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation for adult recipients with irreversible end-stage renal disease.
OBJECTIVE
Combined liver-kidney transplantation is safe (low morbidity and acceptable mortality) and effective in patients with end-stage liver disease. Although refinements in surgical technique have resulted in better patient and allograft outcomes, the negative impact of renal insufficiency on survival in patients undergoing liver transplantation has been widely reported, although some aspects are controversial.


METHODS
Analysis of the clinical characteristics and outcome in the management of patients undergoing combined liver-kidney transplantation. The end points were operative mortality, morbidity, and long-term survival.


METHODS
University Hospital 12 de Octubre.


METHODS
Between May 1986 and December 2001, 820 liver transplantations were performed. There were 16 cases (1.96%) of combined liver-kidney transplantations, which represent the sample of this study.


RESULTS
Mean +/- SD follow-up of 42.2 +/- 29 months: 6 patients died (37.5% mortality rate). There were 4 (25%) hospital deaths within 6 months following surgery and 2 after 6 months (4 sepsis, 1 refractory heart failure, and 1 recurrent hepatitis C virus disease). Univariate analysis related to mortality included age, sex, etiology, preoperative creatinine level, United Network for Organ Sharing status, Child-Pugh score, type of hepatectomy (piggyback), intraoperative blood product administration, and the presence of postoperative complications. The only 2 significant factors were the presence of postoperative complications (P = .01) and the United Network for Organ Sharing status (P = .02). Crude survival rate was 62.5%. Actuarial survival rates were 80%, 71%, and 60% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Because end-stage renal disease is not a formal contraindication for liver transplantation, a combined liver-kidney transplantation for adults with end-stage renal disease can be done safely and effectively.
Moreno-Gonzalez
E
E
Department of General, Digestive, and Abdominal Organs Transplantation, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
Meneu-Diaz
J C
JC
Garcia
I
I
Perez Cerdá
F
F
Abradelo
M
M
Jimenez
C
C
Loinaz
C
C
Gomez
R
R
Gimeno
A
A
Moreno
A
A
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome