J Korean Soc Transplant.  2010 Mar;24(1):40-42. 10.4285/jkstn.2010.24.1.40.

Hepatic Artery Reconstruction Using the Right Gastroepiploic Artery for Hepatic Artery Inflow in a Living Donor Liver Transplantation

• Kim JD
• Choi DL
• Han YS

• KMID: 2202223
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4285/jkstn.2010.24.1.40

Abstract

Securing the source of hepatic artery inflow is essential for living donor liver transplantation. However, sometimes, the hepatic arteries of the recipients are in poor condition for a good anastomosis in living donor liver transplantation; problems include severe arteriosclerosis, intimal dissection, and significant intimal injuries caused by previous transarterial procedures. In these conditions, the right gastroepiploic artery has generally been the preferred artery because of its anatomical location, size and length. Here, a case of successful hepatic artery reconstruction is reported using the right gastroepiploic artery in living donor liver transplantation. The recipient's hepatic arterial intima was severely injured by multiple transarterial chemoembolization and unsuitable for reconstruction. Instead, the right gastroepiploic artery was anastomosed to the hepatic artery of the graft. Arterial blood flow was satisfactory on Doppler ultrasonography during the operation, and complications related to the hepatic artery were not detected during the follow-up period. Therefore, the right gastroepiploic artery may be considered as a suitable alternative for hepatic artery reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation.

Keyword

Right gastroepiploic artery; Hepatic artery inflow; Hepatic artery reconstruction; Living donor liver transplantation

MeSH Terms

Arteries
Arteriosclerosis
Follow-Up Studies
Gastroepiploic Artery
Hepatic Artery
Humans
Liver
Liver Transplantation
Living Donors
Transplants
Tunica Intima
Ultrasonography, Doppler

Figure

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  Fif. 1. Hepatic artery of the left graft was anastomosed the recipient's right gastroepiploic artery in living donor liver transplantation. Abbreviation: RGEA, right gastroepiploic artery.

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  Fig. 2. Liver dynamic CT shows good hepatic artery anastomosis at the 14th postoperative day. Abbreviation: RGEA, right gastroepiploic artery.

Reference

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