Research

Combined paediatric liver-kidney transplantation: Analysis of our experience and literature review

Bernd Strobele, Jerome Loveland, Russell Britz, Errol Gottlich, Anna Welthagen, Jean Botha

Abstract


Background. Renal insufficiency is increasingly common in end-stage liver disease and allocation of livers to this category of patient has escalated. The frequency of combined liver-kidney transplantation (CLKT) has consequently increased. Indications for CLKT in children differ from those for adults and typically include rare congenital conditions; subsequently limited numbers of this procedure have been performed in paediatric patients worldwide. Scant literature exists on the subject.

Methods. Subsequent to institutional approval, a retrospective chart analysis of all paediatric CLKTs performed at the Transplant Unit, Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa between January 2005 and July 2013 was conducted.

Results. Defining children as younger than 18 years of age, 43 patients had received a liver transplant since 2005, of whom 8 received a CLKT. Indications included autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (n=3), primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (n=4) and heterozygous factor H deficiency with atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (n=1). Graft combinations included whole liver and one kidney (n=5), whole liver and two kidneys (n=1) and left lateral liver segment and one kidney (n=2), all from deceased donors. Patient age ranged from 4 to 17 years (median 9) and included 4 females and 4 males. Weight ranged from 13 to 42 kg (median 22.5). We describe one in-hospital mortality. The remaining 7 patients were long-term survivors with a survival range from 6 to 65 months.

Conclusions. Although rarely indicated in children, CLKT is an effective treatment option, appropriately utilising a scarce resource and significantly improving quality of life in the recipient. 


Authors' affiliations

Bernd Strobele, Department of Surgery, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Jerome Loveland, Transplant Division, Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Russell Britz, Transplant Division, Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Errol Gottlich, Transplant Division, Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Anna Welthagen, Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Jean Botha, Transplant Division, Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Full Text

PDF (144KB) HTML

Keywords

combined liver-kidney transplantation; paediatrics

Cite this article

South African Medical Journal 2013;103(12):925-929. DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.7304

Article History

Date submitted: 2013-07-23
Date published: 2013-10-11

Article Views

Abstract views: 2899
Full text views: 4776

Comments on this article

*Read our policy for posting comments here