AIMTo identify independent risk factors for biliary complications in a center with three decades of experience in liver transplantation.METHODSA total of 1607 consecutive liver transplantations were analyzed in a retrospective study. Detailed subset analysis was performed in 417 patients, which have been transplanted since the introduction of Model of End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD)-based liver allocation. Risk factors for the onset of anastomotic biliary complications were identified with multivariable binary logistic regression analyses. The identified risk factors in regression analyses were compiled into a prognostic model. The applicability was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analyses with the log rank test were applied where appropriate.RESULTSBiliary complications were observed in 227 cases (14.1%). Four hundred and seventeen (26%) transplantations were performed after the introduction of MELD-based donor organ allocation. Since then, 21% (n = 89) of the patients suffered from biliary complications, which are further categorized into anastomotic bile leaks [46% (n = 41)], anastomotic strictures [25% (n = 22)], cholangitis [8% (n = 7)] and non-anastomotic strictures [3% (n = 3)]. The remaining 18% (n = 16) were not further classified. After adjustment for all univariably significant variables, the recipient MELD-score at transplantation (P = 0.006; OR = 1.035; 95%CI: 1.010-1.060), the development of hepatic artery thrombosis post-operatively (P = 0.019; OR = 3.543; 95%CI: 1.233-10.178), as well as the donor creatinine prior to explantation (P = 0.010; OR = 1.003; 95%CI: 1.001-1.006) were revealed as independent risk factors for biliary complications. The compilation of these identified risk factors into a prognostic model was shown to have good prognostic abilities in the investigated cohort with an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.702.CONCLUSIONThe parallel occurrence of high recipient MELD and impaired donor kidney function should be avoided. Risk is especially increased when post-transplant hepatic artery thrombosis occurs.

Background: Limb loss has a drastic impact on a patient's life. Severe trauma to the extremities is common in current military conflicts. Among other aspects, "life before limb" damage control surgery hinders immediate replantation within the short post-traumatic timeframe, which is limited in part by the ischemic time for successful replantation. Ex vivo limb perfusion is currently being researched in animal models and shows promising results for its application in human limb replantation and allotransplantation.

arpal tunnel release is one of the most frequently performed operative procedures in hand surgery. Approximately 400,000 procedures for carpal tunnel syndrome are performed in the United States per year. 1With increasing incidences of arteriosclerosis and pulmonary embolisms, the number of patients under antithrombotic medication will