SummaryWe report herein the 10-year outcome of the Tor Vergata weaning off immunosuppression protocol in hepatitis C virus (HCV) liver transplant patients. Thirtyfour patients who had received a liver graft for HCV-related cirrhosis were enrolled in a prospective study in which they were progressively weaned off immunosuppression. The primary endpoints were feasibility and safety of the weaning; the second aim was to assess fibrosis progression. At the 10-year followup, of the eight original tolerant patients, six remained IS-free. Of the 26 individuals who could not be weaned, 22 were alive. When the baseline biopsies were compared with the 10-year biopsies, the tolerant group showed no differences in staging, whereas the nontolerant group showed a significant increase in staging. The fibrosis progression rates calculated for the tolerant and the nontolerant groups were À0.06 AE 0.12 and 0.1 AE 0.2, respectively (P = 0.04). Furthermore, with the last taken biopsies, nine nontolerant patients were showing frank cirrhosis versus no cirrhosis among the tolerant patients. After a 10-year follow-up of a Tor Vergata weaning protocol, 6/34 patients completed follow-up without reinstitution of immunosuppression and this appeared beneficial regarding a reduction in fibrosis progression.

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Anal vector manometry using vector analysis of resting and squeeze pressures is complementary to endoanal ultrasonography, as it provides information on anal sphincter function and integrity. The vector asymmetry index >20% correlates with fecal incontinence due to anal sphincter lesions. Therefore, anal vector manometry may be useful as an independent method of screening for pregnant women at risk of sphincter injury and for patients undergoing anorectal surgery with risk factors for incontinence, like previous anorectal surgery or a history of two or more previous vaginal deliveries.