The impact of preoperative hepatic hydrothorax on the outcome of adult liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Hepatic hydrothorax is an uncommon, but severe complication of cirrhosis. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the best option in case of end-stage liver disease. The impact of hepatic hydrothorax on pre-transplant and post-transplant courses has not been clearly investigated.


METHODS
Eleven patients (group 1) with hepatic hydrothorax and end-stage liver disease out of 346 consecutive patients who underwent OLT between January 2002 and December 2006 were studied. First, pretransplant and posttransplant symptoms and management of hepatic hydrothorax were compared in this group. Second, postoperative complications and survival were compared with two control groups of 11 patients, matched for age, sex, year of transplant, and severity of cirrhosis. Group 2 included patients with tense ascites, but no hepatic hydrothorax. Group 3 included patients without ascites.


RESULTS
In group 1, 73% of patients needed thoracentesis in the pre-transplant course (55% more than once) and none of the patients needed thoracenthesis in the post-transplant course. Comparing the postoperative period between the three groups, no significant differences in the duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, and in-hospital stay were observed. There were no significant differences in terms of incidence of sepsis and early postoperative death. One-year survival was also similar.


CONCLUSIONS
Liver transplantation is a good definitive therapeutic option for cirrhotic patients with hepatic hydrothorax and end-stage liver disease. The need of thoracentesis decreases in the posttransplant course, and the presence of preoperative hepatic hydrothorax did not have a significant negative influence on postoperative outcome.
Hepatology and Liver Intensive Care, Hospital Beaujon, Clichy, France. thomas.serste@skynet.be
Thomas
T
Sersté
Christophe
C
Moreno
Claire
C
Francoz
Walid Abdel
WA
Razek
Catherine
C
Paugham
Jacques
J
Belghitti
Dominique
D
Valla
Richard
R
Moreau
François
F
Durand
D000328:Adult; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006876:Hydrothorax / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D007902:Length of Stay; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019152:Paracentesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D057234:Preoperative Period; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome