Introduction

Since first reported by Margreiter et al. in 1984 [1], the simultaneous transplantation of the liver and kidney has been accepted as an effective surgical method in clinical practice, with good patient outcomes [2] and significant improvements in quality of life [3].

One indication for simultaneous organ transplantation is autosomal dominant polycystic liver and kidney disease (ADPLKD) (Potter III). In the presence of ADPLKD, massive enlargement of the liver and kidney caused by the cysts [4] can occur in up to 78% of patients [5, 6]. These patients mainly suffer from nonspecific clinical symptoms due to the massive organ enlargement, the position and size of individual cysts. The therapeutic procedure for ADPLKD is usually aligned with Gigot’s classification [7], aiming primarily at symptom control as well as maintaining organ function. In 42% of all patients with type II and III ADPLKD, simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation are necessary [8, 10].

Generally, the clinical standard transplantation procedure is based on two steps: (1) orthotopic liver transplantation and (2) heterotopic kidney transplantation in the iliac fossa via a second surgical incision (two-step cLKTx). The massive enlargement of the affected organs in patients with ADPLKD makes this combined transplantation process complex. Thus, the technique and timing of simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation for ADPLKD are subject to individual variability [11] and the center-specific approach [12,13,14].

The key issue for all existing surgical techniques is to reduce the clinical symptoms resulting from increased polycystic organ volume and to simplify the transplantation procedure by improving the representation, scope, and details of the anatomical structure.

In this article, we present a new modified surgical technique for orthotopic simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation to address this issue in patients with ADPLKD. In addition to the exact surgical protocol and the postoperative follow-up, the safe feasibility of this modified technique is also documented for each patient who underwent transplantation in our center since September 2016.

Methods

Preoperative clinical parameters

The modified surgical technique of simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation has been used at the Transplantation Center of the Jena University Hospital, Germany, since September 2016. The indication for the modified simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation technique was patients with ADPLKD showing at least a doubled physiological liver [15] and kidney [16] volume according to preoperative diagnostics as well as ADPLKD-associated complications.

The respective patients underwent a comprehensive evaluation for possible contraindications. Furthermore, the internal interdisciplinary transplantation committee approved the indication for simultaneous organ transplantation based on the current regulations [9] prior to listing.

The preoperative clinical parameters of the patients were derived from the internal hospital data reporting system (SAP (SAPGUI 740, SAP SE® Walldorf, Germany), Copra 5 (Version v5.24.974, COPRA System GmbH, Sasbachwalden, Germany), and Copra 6 (Version v6.7.20, COPRA System GmbH, Sasbachwalden, Germany) as well as from the data transmitted to EUROTRANSPLANT. The characteristics of the donors and the recipients, along with the results of routine clinical examinations, were evaluated in the reported data analysis (ethical committee application number: 4428-05/15).

The modified simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation technique

After the induction of general anesthesia according to the global guidelines [17, 18], the abdominal cavity of the recipient was opened with a right-sided L-incision.

The L-incision included a vertical and a right horizontal abdominal laparotomy. The vertical laparotomy runs from the xiphoid down towards the umbilicus. Four fingers above the umbilicus, the vertical laparotomy was turned in a right horizontal direction to the center between the costal arch and the anterior superior iliac spine.

The abdominal cavity was exposed via bilateral retraction of the ribcage to obtain access to the liver and the right kidney. During exploration, selected cysts were opened to allow the mobilization of the organs and preparation of the anatomical structures.

Right-sided nephrectomy of the polycystic altered organ was performed first to facilitate hepatectomy, to simplify the transplantation procedure, and to reduce the intra-abdominal volume. In preparation for this step, the right-sided colon and the duodenum were mobilized, and the renal vein and artery were identified and dissected. During nephrectomy, special attention must be paid to maintain a long ureter with a surrounding mass of vessel-supplied tissue.

Next, the liver was mobilized and prepared for hepatectomy, including the retrohepatic vena cava. Before hepatectomy, the liver and kidney grafts were prepared on the back table for implantation.

Subsequently, the liver transplantation procedure was continued, following its usual course with the caval replacement technique and without the use of a temporary portocaval shunt or veno-venous bypass. Reperfusion, both portal and arterial, was performed simultaneously. The bile duct was reconstructed with duct-to-duct modified end-to-end anastomosis.

After the completion of liver transplantation, kidney transplantation in the orthotopic retroperitoneal position was performed via the pre-established right-sided L-incision. The venous anastomosis was made directly to the inferior vena cava below the original stump of the right renal vein. Arterial reconstruction was established in the right common iliac artery of the recipient using an arterial interposition graft of the donor iliac artery, which was guided retroperitoneally. After reperfusion of the kidney graft and preparation of the recipient ureter, an end-to-end uretero-ureterostomy was performed with double-J catheter splinting. The established L-incision was closed after inserting drainage tubes (two 20-gauge French tubes were placed subhepatically and subphrenically).

CT scan and ultrasound imaging

As part of the routine evaluation procedure, full-body computed tomography (CT scan; CT Revolution 256 slice, GE Healthcare, USA) was performed for each potential recipient. The organ volumes of the polycystic liver and kidney were calculated using Cerner SkyVue® Distribution (Version 2014.01.05, Cerner, USA) and the available CT scan results. To visualize the transplanted organs and their vascular supply, clinically indicated postoperative CT scans were reconstructed with MeVis® (Frauenhofer MeVis, Lübeck, Germany) (Fig. 1). To evaluate the postoperative course, the recipients underwent routine ultrasound examinations (Vivid S70, GE Healthcare, USA). During these examinations, perfusion of the transplanted organs was examined by determining the arterial and venous blood velocity and arterial vascular resistance.

Fig. 1
figure 1

CT reconstruction (MeVis® (Frauenhofer MeVis, Lübeck, Germany)) after transplantation in a patient with polycystic liver and kidney degeneration. A: Illustration of the venous vascular anatomy of the transplanted organs. B: Illustration of the arterial and portal venous anatomy of the transplanted organs

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Results

Preoperative clinical parameters

Since 2016, the modified simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation technique has been the standard operation technique for patients suffering from ADPLKD at the Transplantation Center of Jena University Hospital. Until October 2018, a total of seven patients were treated using this modified technique.

At the time of transplantation (Table 1), the patients were on average 54.14 years (±3.98) old. Four of them were female. All patients had restricted liver function with a laboratory Model of End-Stage Liver Disease score (lab-MELD) of 18.57 points (±2.37). All patients fulfilled the standard exceptional criteria for prioritization on the waiting list according to the EUROTRANSPLANT manual (Standard Exceptional Model of End-Stage Liver Disease (SE-MELD): 29.29 points (±2.06)) [19]. The average waiting time prior to transplantation was 834.57 days (±832.23). The patients were categorized as ASA III with comorbidities such as normochromic normocytic anemia, renal hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the patients was 27.09 kg/m2 (±5.59). During the routine evaluation procedure, morphological analysis through a CT scan revealed an average liver volume of 9343 ml (±3698.56) and an average right kidney volume of 2770 ml (±1128.78) (Table 2). All patients were categorized as type III according to Gigot’s ADPLKD classification (Figs. 2 and 3). The donor-specific parameters including sex, age, BMI, and extended donor criteria are presented in Table 2.

Table 1 Preoperative clinical parameters of patients with ADPLKD evaluated for modified liver and kidney transplantation
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Table 2 Donor-, intraoperative-, and organ-specific parameters in patients with modified liver and kidney transplantation
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Fig. 2
figure 2

Coronal presentation of the portal vein in a polycystic liver. The kidneys are also polycystically degenerated as seen in the CT scan (CT Revolution 256 slice, GE Healthcare, USA) before transplantation

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Fig. 3
figure 3

Coronal presentation of the caval region showing polycystic alterations in both kidneys on the CT scan (CT Revolution 256 slice, GE Healthcare, USA) before transplantation

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Intraoperative evaluation of simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation

In all seven patients, modified combined liver and kidney transplantation was performed via a right-sided L-incision. The mean operation time of the procedure was 342.43 min (±68.77) (Table 2). The establishment of the vascular liver (WIT liver) and kidney (WIT kidney) anastomoses took 35.86 min (±11.01) and 18.29 min (±8.58), respectively. On average, 785.71 ml (±393.40) of human albumin was infused to compensate for the intravascular volume. In this way, all patients were hemodynamically stable during the whole surgical procedure, including nephrectomy and hepatectomy, avoiding the use of a temporary portocaval shunt or veno-venous bypass.

In only two patients, it was necessary to compensate for the coagulopathy ROTEM driven by the transfusion of fresh-frozen plasma (FFP).

Postoperative evaluation of simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation

After leaving the operation theater, the patients were observed in the ICU for approximately 6.28 days (±2.50). In the first seven postoperative days, unfractionated heparin (partial thromboplastin time (PTT): 40–50 s) was applicated under close surveillance of the coagulation parameters. This systemic anticoagulation was initiated to prevent thrombotic occlusions of the vascular anastomosis.

Immediate extubation and hemodynamic stabilization were achieved in all patients.

Only one case of delayed kidney function occurred. The initially impaired renal function in this patient (P-002) resulted in hypervolemia with subsequent respiratory insufficiency. After reintubation and one-off hemodialysis (Table 3; Clavien-Dindo classification IVa), kidney graft function was promptly stabilized, and the patient was transferred to the surgical ward on POD 11. During hospitalization, more than half of the patients had a minor complication, which was classified as type II according to the Clavien-Dindo classification.

Table 3 Preoperative, postoperative, and 3-month follow-up parameters in patients with modified liver and kidney transplantation
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Graft function in the other six patients was promptly normalized, and no irregularities occurred during the remaining clinical course in these patients. The routine ultrasound examination showed regular postoperative results with normal perfusion parameters and no signs of cholestasis or urinary retention (Table 4). There was no relevant postoperative bleeding. The immunosuppressive rules and standards based on tacrolimus (target level 8–12 ng/ml within the first 3 months), mycophenolate, and steroids were gradually tapered and were discontinued, depending on the patient, over a period of 6 months after transplantation. Basiliximab (20 mg on POD 0 and POD 4) was used for the induction of immunosuppression.

Table 4 Sonographic findings using Vivid S70 (GE Healthcare, USA) in the first three postoperative days in patients with modified liver and kidney transplantation
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Following removal of the double-J catheter, patients were discharged after 28 days (±5.66) with normal liver and kidney function (data not shown). The indication for platelet inhibition due to the transplantation procedure was not given in any of the patients. Furthermore, there was no manifestation of bile leakage, ureter stenosis, or incisional hernia during the postoperative observation period.

The postoperative pathological examination (Table 2) confirmed the preoperative calculated liver and kidney dimensions (mean liver weight 4692.86 g (±1966.66); mean kidney weight 2045 g (±1032.78). The opening of single cysts during organ explantation was responsible for the difference between the pre- and postoperative examination results.

The 3-month follow-up confirmed excellent graft function (Table 3) with normal liver synthesis and normal kidney function (retention parameters) in all patients. Indications for additional left-sided nephrectomy were not given for any patient during the follow-up period.

Discussion

In this article, we present our first experience with a new modified surgical technique for orthotopic simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation in patients with ADPLKD.

The central steps of the modified orthotopic liver and kidney transplantation method are (1) right-sided nephrectomy of the recipient followed by (2) orthotopic liver transplantation and (3) final orthotopic kidney transplantation. Using this method, we are able to improve the transplantation procedure of patients with ADPLKD compared to the standard clinical procedure.

Our alternative surgical approach represents the further development of other innovative approaches, as recently published by Jochmans et al. [20] and Lee et al. [21].

Jochmans and colleagues perform the simultaneous organ transplantation via median laparotomy [20]. Using this protocol, the initial orthotopic liver transplantation is followed by bilateral nephrectomy. Subsequently, the kidney graft is placed in a retroperitoneal heterotopic position. For this purpose, a peritoneal pocket (15 × 15 cm) is formed along the already established surgical access (one-step cLKTx), and the graft is implanted into the iliac fossa.

Applying Jochmans’ transplantation technique reduces the mean operation time (one-step cLKTx 6.8 h (4.1–9.3 h)) by more than 2 h compared to the two-step procedure (two-step cLKTx 9.0 h (8.7–10.1 h)).

A further reduction of the mean operation time by more than 1 h can be achieved by our method (one-step cLKTx 6.8 h [20] vs orthotopic simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation 5.45 h). We assume that the additional reduction in operation time in our orthotopic liver and kidney transplantation technique is due to the initial performance of right-sided nephrectomy in the recipient. This central step just before transplantation improves the representation and detailed view of the anatomical structures during hepatectomy as well as implantation of the liver graft. Additionally, the vascular structures are openly accessible and can be prepared for subsequent kidney transplantation.

The second alternative transplantation method published by Lee et al. is indicated for patients with extensive iliac artery disease and is performed as en bloc simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation [21]. In this approach, the liver and right kidney are explanted en bloc and remain attached via the venous structures in the course of the implantation procedure. Using this protocol, the implantation process is improved by the simultaneous reperfusion of both organs. Compared to the classic technique, en bloc modification leads to a shortening of the cold (5.68 h (4.7–8.2 h)) and warm (52 min (46–57 min)) ischemic time in the kidney graft as well as a reduced total operation time (6.23 h (5.7–7.53 h)).

However, the continuous linking of the liver and kidney is accompanied by some disadvantages. The first disadvantage is arterial perfusion of the kidney graft. To reestablish arterial blood flow, extensive back-table preparation with reanastomosis of the renal and splenic arteries is essential. For this reason, Lee et al. defined a contraindication for this technique in kidney grafts with multiple renal arteries [21]. Besides, the group described a steal phenomenon and kinking of the renal artery in two patients, making major revision operations and renewed arterial anastomosis necessary.

Another disadvantage is the particular explantation procedure that enables the en bloc transplantation technique [21]. The method can only be conducted if the venous structures between the liver and right kidney transplant are maintained during the donor operation. This type of en bloc explantation is not the standard technique and can be challenging for individual surgeons. Furthermore, specific donor characteristics are required due to the missing possibility of selecting the left or right kidney in the transplantation procedure.

Besides the unique explantation technique and specific donor characteristics, further aspects need to be considered when comparing the method of Lee et al. [21] with our approach. Both methods require extensive preparation of the vascular structures. The reanastomosis of the renal and splenic arteries, as well as the use of an arterial interposition graft, is technically complex and vulnerable to complications. However, our method can also be used in case of vascular variations of the kidney graft and has no known surgical contraindication.

In summary, our modified orthotopic liver and kidney transplantation technique offers several advantages compared to the classical transplantation method as well as the approaches of Jochmans et al. [20] and Lee et al. [21]. Due to the initial right-sided nephrectomy of the recipient, the exposure of the anatomical structures is improved for hepatectomy and subsequent transplantation. In addition, the vascular structures are openly accessible and directly prepared for the final kidney transplantation, resulting in a significant reduction of mean operation time [20, 21]. Furthermore, liver and kidney transplantation can be performed through single surgical access, avoiding extensive preparation in the iliac fossa. The modified approach has no surgical contraindications and requires no specific adaptations of the explantation technique.

Nevertheless, our technique also has limitations and disadvantages. The use of arterial interposition graft requires more technical expertise and can be associated with an increased rate of complications. Moreover, depending on the orthotopic position of the kidney graft, the anastomosis of the ureter can only be executed as an uretero-ureterostomy. In reference to the European guideline for kidney transplantation, the uretero-ureterostomy is an alternative to the usual anastomosis (Lich-Gregoir or Ledbetter-Politano), though it increases the risk of complications [22].

Independently of these disadvantages, morbidity, mortality, and complication rates of our modified orthotopic transplantation technique are comparable with those of all established simultaneous transplantation techniques [20, 21, 23].

Furthermore, no surgical technique–associated complications, such as bleeding, anastomotic stenosis, biloma, or urinoma, were observed.

The interpretation of the study results is subject to specific limitations. The small size of our study is one of the major limitations. In general, the simultaneous transplantation of the liver and kidney is a very rare procedure in the EUROTRANSPLANT region. Only forty-five combined transplantations were performed in 2017 [24], but only 15% of these were indicated for ADPLKD [25].

Due to this circumstance, the evaluation of our modified procedures in a large study cohort is hampered. Compared to other studies [20, 21] and case reports [26,27,28], we were able to demonstrate the successful feasibility of our technique in a characteristic cohort.

Another restriction is the currently missing long-term course of our patients. There is a retrospective clinical trial planned to compare our modified orthotopic liver and kidney transplantation technique with the standard clinical heterotopic approach to evaluate our experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the modified orthotopic liver and kidney transplantation technique is an alternative for combined liver and kidney transplantation. The transplantation technique simplifies the transplantation procedure without negatively influencing patient outcomes. The application of this technique for other indications of end-stage liver and kidney diseases needs to be examined but appears possible, in principle.