Background Management of portal inflow to the graft in patients with spontaneous splenorenal shunts (SRS) is a matter of concern especially in case of large varices (more than 1 cm). In case of portal vein (PV) thrombosis (PVT), renoportal anastomosis (RPA) directly diverts the splanchnic and renal venous blood assuring a good portal inflow to the graft. Disconnection of the portacaval shunt by left renal vein ligation (LRVL) is another option but requires a patent PV. The indication of primary RPA rather than LRVL in patients with small native PV, especially in case of large graft, should be questioned in these complex cases of liver transplantation. Methods From 1998 to 2012, 17 patients with RPA and 15 patients with LRVL were transplanted in our center. We compared these 2 techniques for short- and long-term results. Results The rate of preliver transplantation PVT (76% vs 27%) and graft weight (1538 ± 383 g vs 1293 ± 216 g) was significantly higher in the RPA group. Renoportal anastomosis was performed in 4 cases of small but patent PV. Three-month mortality, morbidity, and massive ascitis were similar. No patient was retransplanted. One year after transplantation, PV diameter was still larger in RPA group. Three-year survival was similar (RPA: 79% vs LRVL: 53%, P = 0.1). Conclusions In cirrhotic patients transplanted with large splenorenal shunts, RPA and LRVL reach similar survivals. In case of complete PVT and failure of thrombectomy, the RPA offers satisfactory long-term results.

Background It is not clear whether laparoscopic transcystic exploration (LTCE) laparoscopic choledochotomy (LCD) is superior in the management of choledocholithiasis. In this meta‐analysis, the success of LTCE versus LCD was evaluated. Methods Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Trip, PubMed, Ovid and Embase databases were searched systematically for relevant literature up to May 2017. Studies that compared the success rate of LTCE and LCD in patients with choledocholithiasis were included. PRISMA guidelines were followed. Multiple independent reviewers contributed on a cloud‐based platform. Random‐effects model was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) or standardized mean differences (MDs) with 95 per cent confidence intervals. An a priori hypothesis was generated based on clinical experience that LTCE is as successful as LCD. Results Of 3533 screened articles, 25 studies comprising 4224 patients were included. LTCE achieved a lower duct clearance rate than LCD (OR 0.38, 95 per cent c.i. 0·24 to 0·59). It was associated with a shorter duration of surgery (MD −0·86, 95 per cent c.i. −0·97 to −0·77), lower bile leak (OR 0·46, 0·23 to 0·93) and shorter hospital stay (MD −0·78, −1·14 to −0·42) than LCD. There was no statistically significant difference in conversion, stricture formation or reintervention rate. Conclusion LCD has a higher rate of successful duct clearance, but is associated with a longer duration of surgery and hospital stay, and a higher bile leak rate.

Background: Variation in the outcome of bariatric surgery is still an unraveled phenomenon. This variation could be multifactorial. Several reports implicate the total small bowel length (TSBL) in this process. However, the basic information regarding the normal bowel length and its relation to the anthropometric parameters of the living subject is scarce. This study aims at reporting the normal total bowel length in living adult humans and its correlation with the anthropometric parameters. Methods: This study included 606 participants (380 females and 226 males). Their mean age was 39.8 ± 11 years, weight = 135.7 ± 29.7 kg, height = 165 ± 9 cm, and BMI = 49.5 ± 7.5 kg/m². The mean TSBL was 630 ± 175 cm. There was a statistically significant but very weak positive correlation but between the TSBL and both weight and height. Males had significantly higher weight and were significantly taller compared with females. TSBL was significantly longer in males at 661.5 ± 186 cm versus 612 ± 164 cm in females. Conclusion: The study reports an average TSBL greater than what is reported in the literature from living humans with a greater range of variation. There is no clinically important correlation between the TSBL and the weight and height of the individual participants in this series.