J Korean Soc Transplant.  2011 Sep;25(3):176-183. 10.4285/jkstn.2011.25.3.176.

Hepatic Arterial Complications after Liver Transplantation: A Single-Center Experience

• Lee KJ
• Choi ST
• Min C
• Lee JN
• Lee WK
• Baek JH
• Kim KK
• Kang JM
• Lee WS

• KMID: 1450966
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4285/jkstn.2011.25.3.176

Abstract

BACKGROUND
We wanted to explore performing hepatic arterial reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using right lobe liver grafts and cadaveric liver transplantation (CLT) in a single center.
METHODS
Thirty five LDLTs were performed from April 2005 to August 2009. The back wall support suture without twisting was used in most cases. A single RHA was anastomosed to the RHA in 24 patients, to the proper HA in 2 patients, to the RAHA in 4 patients, to the LHA in 2 patients and to an aberrant RHA arising from the SMA in 3 patients. The diameter of the donor RHA was between 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm (mean: 2.5 mm). In the 34 patients who underwent CLT, most of the arterial anastomoses were usually performed using two cuffs at the recipient HA and the GDA bifurcation and a branching point on the donor CHA with running and intermittent stay suture.
RESULTS
The total incidence of HA complication was 4.34% (3/69): 1 HAT (2.85%) occurred in a case of LDLT and 2 HAS (5.88%) occurred in a case of CLT. HAT occurred in 1 recipient on the 1st day following LDLT and 2 HAS occurred in CLT recipients at one and two months, respectively, following LDLT.
CONCLUSIONS
HA complications occurred as a mild type of late complication and these complications might not be fatal in CLT. A low incidence of HAT can be achieved with using non-twisting method-guided microsurgical techniques for creating hepatic arterial anastomosis in LDLT. When early HAT occurs, early surgical reconstruction is mandatory for preventing the loss of the graft. Back wall sutures with only single needle suture might be a feasible method for HA microsurgical reconstruction.

Keyword

Hepatic artery; Thrombosis; Arterial occlusive disease; Liver transplantation

MeSH Terms

Arterial Occlusive Diseases
Cadaver
Hepatic Artery
Humans
Incidence
Liver
Liver Transplantation
Living Donors
Needles
Running
Sutures
Thrombosis
Tissue Donors
Transplants

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Ischemic necrosis followed by hepatic artery stenosis. CT shows ischemic necrosis followed by hepatic arterial thrombosis, which occurred at segment VI at 1st postoperation day. Hepatic angiography show arterial vasospam ans thrombus occurred at the right gastroepiploic artery (A, B). Hepatic flow can be preserved after jump graft by using great saphenous vein from supraceliac aorta to right gastroepiploic artery (C). The ischemic necrosis portion show relatively good parenchymal regeneration and duct dilatation in 7 months later (D, E).

• 

  Fig. 2. Hepatic angiography showing arterial kicking and stenosis. Hepatic angiography show arterial kicking and stenosis at the anastomosis of CHA in CLT. The kicking of anastomosis site was revised by ballooning and stenting (A, B). Intimal dissection and stenosis in non-anastomotic site was relieved by ballooning and stenting (C, D).

• 

  Fig. 3. Schematic drawing of the microvascular anastomosis. Schematic drawings show the microvascular anastomosis. The recipient and graft artery are clamped without twisting. The first suture is placed at upper and posterior wall at most deep portion of two arteries (A), and hepatic artery cuff by using cystic attery to overcome size discrepancy (B).

Reference

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