Gregory J. McKenna M.D.

Testa, G., E. C. Koon, L. Johannesson, G. J. McKenna, T. Anthony, G. B. Klintmalm, R. T. Gunby, A. M. Warren, J. M. Putman, G. dePrisco, J. M. Mitchell, K. Wallis and M. Olausson (2017). “Living donor uterus transplantation: A single center’s observations and lessons learned from early setbacks to technical success.” Am J Transplant 17(11): 2901-2910.

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Uterus transplantation is a vascularized composite allograft transplantation. It allows women who do not have a uterus to become pregnant and deliver a baby. In this paper, we analyze the first five cases of living donor uterus transplantation performed in the United States. The first three recipients lost their uterus grafts at days 14, 12, and 6, respectively, after transplant. Vascular complications, related to both inflow and outflow problems, were identified as the primary reason for the graft losses. Two recipients, at 6 and 3 mo, respectively, after transplant, have functioning grafts with regular menstrual cycles. Ultimate success will be claimed only after a live birth. This paper is an in-depth analysis of evaluation, surgical technique, and follow-up of these five living donor uterus transplants. The lessons learned were instrumental in allowing us to evolve from failure to technical and functional success. We aim to share our conclusions and build on knowledge in the evolving field of uterus transplantation.

Bayer, J., C. A. Moulton, K. Monden, R. M. Goldstein, G. J. McKenna, G. Testa, R. M. Ruiz, T. L. Anthony, N. Onaca, G. B. Klintmalm and P. T. W. Kim (2017). “The role of multiorgan procurement for abdominal transplant in general surgery resident education.” Am J Surg.

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BACKGROUND: To assess the impact of participation of multiorgan procurement (MP) by general surgery (GS) residents on surgical knowledge and skills, a prospective cohort study of GS residents during transplant surgery rotation was performed. METHODS: Before and after participation in MPs, assessment of knowledge was performed by written pre and post tests and surgical skills by modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill (OSATS) score. Thirty-nine residents performed 84 MPs. RESULTS: Significant improvement was noted in the written test scores (63.3% vs 76.7%; P < 0.001). Better surgical score was associated with female gender (15.4 vs 13.3, P = <0.01), prior MP experience (16.2 vs 13.7, P = 0.03), and senior level resident (15.1 vs 13.0, P = 0.03). Supraceliac aortic dissection (P = 0.0017) and instrument handling (P = 0.041) improved with more MP operations. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in MP improves residents' knowledge of abdominal anatomy and surgical technique.

Draoua, M., N. Titze, A. Gupta, H. T. Fernandez, M. Ramsay, G. Saracino, G. McKenna, G. Testa, G. B. Klintmalm and P. T. W. Kim (2017). “Significance of measured intraoperative portal vein flows after thrombendvenectomy in deceased donor liver transplantations with portal vein thrombosis.” Liver Transpl 23(8): 1032-1039.

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Adequate portal vein (PV) flow in liver transplantation is essential for a good outcome, and it may be compromised in patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT). This study evaluated the impact of intraoperatively measured PV flow after PV thrombendvenectomy on outcomes after deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). The study included 77 patients over a 16-year period who underwent PV thrombendvenectomy with complete flow data. Patients were classified into 2 groups: high PV flow (>1300 mL/minute; n = 55) and low PV flow (60 years (hazard ratio [HR], 3.04, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36-6.82; P = 0.007) and low portal flow (HR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.15-4.65; P = 0.02) were associated with worse survival. In conclusion, PV flow <1300 mL/minute after PV thrombendvenectomy for PVT during DDLT was associated with higher rates of biliary strictures and worse graft survival. Consideration should be given to identifying reasons for low flow and performing maneuvers to increase PV flow when intraoperative PV flows are <1300 mL/minute.

Draoua, M., N. Titze, A. Gupta, H. T. Fernandez, M. Ramsay, G. Saracino, G. McKenna, T. Giuliano, G. B. Klintmalm and P. T. W. Kim (2017). “Significance of measured intraoperative portal vein flows after thrombendvenectomy in deceased donor liver transplants with portal vein thrombosis.” Liver Transpl: Apr [Epub ahead of print].

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BACKGROUND: Adequate portal vein (PV) flow in liver transplantation is essential for a good outcome, and it may be compromised in patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT). This study evaluated the impact of intraoperatively measured PV flow after PV thrombendvenectomy on outcomes after deceased donor liver transplantation. STUDY DESIGN: The study included 77 patients over a 16-year period who underwent PV thrombendvenectomy with complete flow data. Patients were classified into two groups: high PV flow (>1300 mL/min, N = 55) and low PV flow (60 years (hazard ratio 3.04, confidence interval 1.36-6.82; P = 0.007) and low portal flow (HR 2.31 (1.15-4.65, P=0.02) were associated with worse survival. CONCLUSION: PV flow <1300 mL/min after PV thrombendvenectomy for PVT during deceased donor liver transplantation was associated with higher rates of biliary strictures and worse graft survival. Consideration should be given to identifying reasons for low flow and performing maneuvers to increase PV flow when intraoperative PV flows are <1300 mL/min.

Testa, G., E. C. Koon, L. Johannesson, G. McKenna, T. Anthony, G. B. Klintmalm, R. T. Gunby, Jr., A. M. Warren, J. M. Putman, G. dePrisco, J. M. Mitchell, K. Wallis and M. Olausson (2017). “Living donor uterus transplantation: A single center’s observations and lessons learned from early setbacks to technical success.” Am J Transplant: Apr [Epub ahead of print].

Full text of this article.

Uterus transplantation is a vascularized composite allograft transplantation. It allows women who do not have a uterus to become pregnant and deliver a baby. In this paper we analyze the first 5 cases of Living Donor Uterus Transplantation performed in the US. The first 3 recipients lost their uterus grafts at day 14, 12 and 6 after transplant. Vascular complications, related to both inflow and outflow problems, were identified as the primary reason for the graft losses. Two recipients, 6 and 3 months post-transplant have functioning grafts with regular menstrual cycles. Ultimate success will be claimed only after a live birth. This paper is an in-depth analysis of evaluation, surgical technique and follow-up of these five living donor uterus transplants. The lessons learned were instrumental in allowing us to evolve from failure to technical and functional success. We aim to share our conclusions and build on the knowledge in the evolving field of uterus transplantation.