New hepatic vein reconstruction in left liver graft

Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Left Lobe or Right Lobe

Living Donor Liver Transplantation (LDLT) has seen great advancements since its inception in 1988. Herein, the nuances of LDLT are discussed spanning from donor evaluation to the recipient operation. Special attention is given to donor anatomy and graft optimization techniques in the recipient.

Surgical treatment of extensive hepatic alveolar echinococcosis using a three-dimensional visualization technique combined with allograft blood vessels: A case report

RATIONALE

Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) presents a high pathogenicity and case fatality rate. The main treatment for HAE is surgical resection. Giant lesions in the liver and invasion of the pathogen into the retrohepatic inferior vena cava are usually associated with a poor prognosis when radical resection cannot be performed.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 56-year-old man who underwent hydatidectomy 7 years prior noted a recurrence of HAE. He was subsidized and admitted to our hospital for the purpose of surgical treatment.

DIAGNOSIS

By computed tomography, angiography and three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography reconstruction images, multiple, giant HAE with 75% stenosis was confirmed.

INTERVENTIONS

With the 3D visualization technique, we designed the surgical plan and performed radical resection of the lesions, including the invaded inferior vena cava, and maximized retention of normal liver tissue. The abdominal aorta of an organ donor was used for vascular allograft reconstruction.

OUTCOMES

The patient recovered gradually after the operation. He was followed up for 3 months, and the reconstructed vein patency was good.

LESSONS

The 3D visualization technique combined with a blood vessel allograft allowed us to expand indications for radical resection of extensive HAE.

Middle hepatic vein reconstruction in adult right lobe living donor liver transplantation improves recipient survival

BACKGROUND

The efficacy and necessity of middle hepatic vein (MHV) reconstruction in adult-to-adult right lobe living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) remain controversial. The present study aimed to evaluate the survival beneficiary of MHV reconstructions in LDLT.

METHODS

We compared the clinical outcomes of liver recipients with MHV reconstruction (n = 101) and without MHV reconstruction (n = 43) who underwent LDLT using right lobe grafts at our institution from January 2006 to May 2017.

RESULTS

The overall survival (OS) rate of recipients with MHV reconstruction was significantly higher than that of those without MHV reconstruction in liver transplantation (P = 0.022; 5-yr OS: 76.2% vs 58.1%). The survival of two segments (segments 5 and 8) hepatic vein reconstruction was better than that of the only one segment (segment 5 or segment 8) hepatic vein reconstruction (P = 0.034; 5-yr OS: 83.6% vs 67.4%). The survival of using two straight vascular reconstructions was better than that using Y-shaped vascular reconstruction in liver transplantation with two segments hepatic vein reconstruction (P = 0.020; 5-yr OS: 100% vs 75.0%). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that MHV tributary reconstructions were an independent beneficiary prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio=0.519, 95% CI: 0.282-0.954, P = 0.035). Biliary complications were significantly increased in recipients with MHV reconstruction (28.7% vs 11.6%, P = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

MHV reconstruction ensured excellent outflow drainage and favored recipient outcome. The MHV tributaries (segments 5 and 8) should be reconstructed as much as possible to enlarge the hepatic vein anastomosis and reduce congestion.

Left lobe graft poses a potential risk of hepatic venous outflow obstruction in adult living donor liver transplantation

Hepatic venous outflow obstruction (HVOO) is a critical complication after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of HVOO and the risk factors for HVOO in adults. From 2005 to 2015, 430 adult LDLT patients (right lobe [RL] graft, 270 patients; left lobe [LL] graft, 160 patients) were enrolled and divided into no HVOO (n = 413) and HVOO (n = 17) groups. Patient demographics and surgical data were compared, and risk factors for HVOO were analyzed. Furthermore, the longterm outcomes of percutaneous interventions as treatment for HVOO were assessed. HVOO occurred in 17 (4.0%) patients. The incidence of HVOO in patients receiving a LL graft was significantly higher than in those receiving a RL graft (8.1% versus 1.5%; P = 0.001). The body weight and caliber of hepatic vein anastomosis in the HVOO group were significantly lower compared with the no HVOO group (P = 0.02 and P = 0.008, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that only LL graft was an independent risk factor for HVOO (OR, 4.782; 95% CI, 1.387-16.488; P = 0.01). Among 17 patients with HVOO, 7 patients were treated with single balloon angioplasty, and 9 patients who developed recurrence were treated with repeated interventions. Overall, 6 patients underwent stent placement: 1 at the initial procedure, 3 at the second procedure for early recurrence, and 2 following repeated balloon angioplasty (≥3 interventions). These 6 patients experienced no recurrence. Overall graft survival was not significantly different between the HVOO and no HVOO groups (P = 0.99). In conclusion, the use of a LL graft was associated with HVOO, and percutaneous interventions were effective for treating adult HVOO after LDLT. Liver Transplantation 22 785-795 2016 AASLD.

Reconstruction of a rare variant of the left hepatic vein in a left lateral segment liver graft from a living donor: Technical notes

Reconstruction of hepatic veins in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is often technically challenging and a good venous outflow is essential for survival of the graft and patient. We describe a quadrangular patch venoplasty technique used for the reconstruction of a rare variant of the left hepatic vein (LHV) in a pediatric LDLT with left lateral segment (LLS) graft. Segment II vein in the graft was draining directly into the inferior vena cava (IVC) and segment III vein was draining into the middle hepatic vein (MHV) after receiving a tributary from segment IV so that there were two widely separated ostia at the cut surface. This is one of the rarest variations of the LHV and is so called type 3 variant; it is usually reconstructed using interposition tubular conduits necessitating two separate anastomoses at the IVC.

Anomalous hepatic vein anatomy of left lateral section grafts and customized unification venoplasty for pediatric living donor liver transplantation

In liver transplantation, a left lateral section (LLS) graft may have an unusual variant left hepatic vein (LHV) anatomy. This study was designed to analyze the incidence of unusual LHV variants and to determine technical methods for effective reconstruction in infant recipients weighing approximately 10 kg or less. The study comprised 3 parts: an LHV variation analysis, a simulation-based design for the technical modification of graft LHV venoplasty, and its clinical application. The LHV anatomy of 300 potential LLS graft donors was classified into 4 types according to the number and location of the hepatic vein openings: (1) a single opening (n = 218 or 72.7%); (2) 2 large adjacent openings (n = 29 or 9.7%); (3) 2 adjacent openings, 1 large and 1 small (n = 34 or 11.3%); and (4) 2 widely spaced openings (n = 19 or 6.3%). Types 2 and 3 required wedged unification venoplasty, and type 4 required additional vein interposition. In a series of 49 cases using LLS grafts, the graft hepatic vein complication rate was 4.5% at 3 years; stenting was necessary for 1 of the 36 type 1 LHV grafts (2.8%) and for 1 of the 13 type 2-4 LHV grafts (7.7%, P = 0.46). A customized interposition-wedged unification venoplasty technique for coping with type 4 vein variations was developed with a simulation-based approach, and it was successfully applied to a 10-month-old male infant receiving an LLS graft with a type 4 LHV. In conclusion, nearly all LHV variations can be effectively managed with customized unification venoplasty. These venoplasty techniques represent beneficial surgical options as part of graft standardization for hepatic vein reconstruction in pediatric living donor liver transplantation.

Standard hepatic vein reconstruction with patch plasty using the native portal vein in adult living donor liver transplantation

An outflow obstruction of the hepatic vein is a critical complication after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and occasionally leads to hepatic failure. Here we introduce a simple method for preventing outflow obstructions by patch plasty in adult LDLT. Between September 2001 and May 2010, 468 adult LDLT procedures were performed at Kyoto University Hospital. We harvested each recipient's portal vein (PV) from the extirpated liver for a patch. We intended to re-form several orifices of the hepatic veins into a single, large orifice. The patch was attached to the anterior wall of the re-formed orifice on the bench. After we put in the liver graft, the procedure for the hepatic vein anastomosis to the inferior vena cava was simple enough that the warm ischemia time was reduced. Three of the 468 cases were diagnosed with an outflow obstruction. All 3 cases underwent hepatic vein reconstruction without patch plasty. In contrast, none of the 159 cases that underwent LDLT with patch plasty suffered from an outflow obstruction, regardless of the liver graft type. The procedure for hepatic vein plasty using a patch from the native PV is simple and elegant and results in excellent outcomes. We propose this as the standard procedure for hepatic vein reconstruction in adult LDLT.

Discrepancy between estimated and actual weight of partial liver graft from living donors

Background/purpose

A discrepancy between the actually obtained graft weight and the preoperative volumetric estimation is often observed in living donor liver transplantation. The aim of the study reported here was to clarify the prevalence and degree of this discrepancy between estimated and actual liver volume.

Materials and methods

Preoperative volumetric evaluations of 26 live donor livers were performed using three‐dimensional computed tomography software. The weight of the liver graft and blood contained in the graft were measured immediately after procurement and compared with the preoperative estimate. The graft was also weighed after perfusion and after back‐table procedures.

Results

Analysis of the results revealed that blood‐free graft weight was significantly overestimated (p = 0.02) and blood weight was significantly underestimated (p < 0.001). The sum of the weight of the graft and blood best corresponded to the preoperative volume estimate (R 2 = 0.64,p < 0.001). The back‐table procedures significantly decreased the weight of the liver graft (p < 0.001). Graft weight after perfusion and after venous reconstruction corresponded to 95 and 90% of the weight obtained before perfusion, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that donor age had the most significant influence on the ratio of the weight decrease in the University of Wisconsin solution (p = 0.03).

Conclusions

The weight of liver grafts decreases significantly during back‐table procedures. Underestimation of the blood weight contained in the graft is one cause of the graft weight discrepancy, but weight loss while the graft was immersed in the University of Wisconsin solution was also observed. These phenomena should be taken into account when graft size is being determined.

Impact of short hepatic vein reconstruction in living donor adult liver transplantation using a left liver plus caudate lobe graft

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of short hepatic vein reconstruction in the transplanted left liver plus caudate lobe graft.

METHODS

Six left liver plus caudate lobe grafts used for living donor adult liver transplantation were included in this study. The liver grafts were divided into two groups: those with (V1 group; n = 4) or without (control group; n = 2) short hepatic vein reconstruction. The changes in the transplanted left lobe (segments II-IV) and caudate lobe were compared between the two groups at 1 month after transplantation.

RESULTS

The addition of the caudate lobe increased the graft volume by 15 mL, which corresponded to a 4.3% gain of graft volume at the time of transplantation. Although the graft volume/standard liver volume ratio of the whole grafts after transplantation showed no difference between the two groups, the regeneration rate of the caudate lobe in the V1 group was significantly greater than that in the control group (p= 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Although no definite advantage from the V1 reconstruction was demonstrated, hepatic vein reconstruction with a significantly-sized short hepatic vein might provide an additional margin of safety for marginally-sized liver grafts during the early phase of graft regeneration.

The technical advance and impact of caudate lobe venous reconstruction in left liver: additional safety for living-related donor liver transplantation

The key to obtaining good overall outcomes in small-for-size liver-graft transplantation is ensuring sufficient blood flow to the graft during the initial period after surgery. In left lobe liver grafting, various reconstruction techniques have been devised to maximize the limited graft volume. The reconstructions of the caudate lobe (CL) vessels were one of the main streams. In this article, we focus on the clinical significance of CL vessel reconstructions after small-for-size liver-graft transplantation and discuss the roles of various techniques. These techniques contribute to the enlargement of the margin of safety with respect to small-for-size liver-graft transplantation.

New prediction factors of small-for-size syndrome in living donor adult liver transplantation for chronic liver disease

Small-for-size syndrome (SFSS), which is characterized by synthetic dysfunction and prolonged cholestasis, is a major cause of worse short-term prognoses after living donor adult liver transplantation (LDALT). However, the risks of SFSS remain unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify the risks of SFSS, which were analysed in 172 patients who underwent LDALT for chronic liver disease. Graft types included left lobe with caudate lobe graft (n = 110) and right lobe graft (n = 62). Thirty-four cases (24 with left lobe grafts and 10 with right lobe grafts) were determined as SFSS. SFSS developed even if the actual graft-to-recipient standard liver volume ratio was >40%. Logistic regression analysis revealed three independent factors associated with SFSS development in left and right lobe grafts: donor age, actual graft-to-recipient native liver volume ratio, and Child's score. Donor age and actual graft-to-recipient native liver volume ratio may become predictive factors for SFSS development in left and right lobe grafts in patients undergoing LDALT.

A new surgical technique for hepatic vein reconstruction in pediatric live donor liver transplantation

The hepatic venous reconstruction is one of the corner stones of pediatric LDLT. However, problems associated with hepatic venous outflow still remain to be an issue. In this study, we aimed at comparing two methods used in hepatic venous reconstruction. Between November 1999 and December 2006, 61 consecutive left lateral segment pediatric LDLT were performed at Ege University Organ Transplant Center, and two methods were used for hepatic venous reconstruction. In the former group (group 1: 32 patients) continuous anastomosis was performed between the donor LHV and common orifice of the recipient HV. In the later group (group 2: 29 patients), the posterior wall of the anastomosis was sutured continuously while the anterior wall was sutured with interrupted sutures. HV thrombosis was detected in one patient and stenosis was detected in four patients in group 1. No hepatic venous outflow obstruction was detected in group 2 (p < 0.05). In both groups, mortality was not associated with hepatic venous outflow obstruction. As our results indicate, the novel technique used in this study is a simple and safe anastomosis procedure that has contributed into overcoming hepatic venous outflow problems in pediatric LDLT.

Graft size, donor age, and patient status are the indicators of early graft function after living donor liver transplantation

No reliable model for predicting early graft function and patient survival after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) exists. The aim of this study was to establish a new formula for predicting early graft function and prognosis using technetium-99m galactosyl-human serum albumin (Tc-GSA) liver scintigraphy. The ratio of the hepatic uptake ratio of Tc-GSA to the clearance index of Tc-GSA (LHL/HH) was determined 7 days after LDLT. There were 22 patients with a ratio greater than 1.3 and 6 patients with a ratio less than 1.3. Graft function on the 14th postoperative day (POD) was compared between the 2 groups. A new formula to predict the LHL/HH score was established as follows: LHL/HH (predictive score) = 0.011 x graft weight (%) - 0.016 x donor age - 0.008 x Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score - 0.15 x shunt (if present) + 1.757 (r(2) = 0.497, P < 0.01). This predicted LHL/HH ratio was compared to the graft function on POD 14 for 110 LDLT patients. The total bilirubin (TB) and prothrombin time international normalized ratio (PT-INR) in the group with an LHL/HH score > or = 1.3 were lower than those in the group with an LHL/HH score < 1.3. The TB, PT-INR, and volume of ascites in the group with a predictive score > or = 1.3 (n = 86) were lower than those in the group with a score < 1.3 (n = 24). The 6-month survival probability was improved in the group with a predictive score > or = 1.3. In conclusion, this preoperative calculated LHL/HH score is correlated with graft function and short-term prognosis. Thus, this predictive model may allow transplant surgeons to use a living donor left lobe graft with greater confidence.

The beneficial role of simultaneous splenectomy in living donor liver transplantation in patients with small-for-size graft

Small-for-size (SFS) graft syndrome is one of the major causes of graft loss in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We examined whether splenectomy is beneficial for overcoming SFS graft syndrome in LDLT. The patients were classified into two groups: the Sp (-) group (n=69), in which splenectomy was not performed, and the Sp (+) group (n=44), in which it was. The incidence of SFS graft syndrome was investigated. Risk factors of SFS graft syndrome were identified by univariate- and multivariate analysis. To clarify whether splenectomy is beneficial for patients with a SFS graft, subgroup analysis was performed for patients who had a graft weight-to-standard liver weight (GW-SLW) ratio of 40% or less (n=50). Thirty-one of 113 patients developed SFS graft syndrome. A multivariate analysis identified that having a male donor was an independent risk factor of SFS graft syndrome. SFS graft syndrome occurred in 11 of 50 patients with a GW-SLW ratio<40%, and Sp (-) was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of SFS graft syndrome in patients (P=0.014). Simultaneous splenectomy is favorable for overcoming SFS graft syndrome in LDLT patients with a GW-SLW of 40% or less.

Outcome of living donor liver transplantation for post-Kasai biliary atresia in adults

Previous reports described the effectiveness of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for post-Kasai biliary atresia (BA) in the pediatric population. Information on the outcome of LDLT in patients that have reached adulthood after the Kasai procedure, however, is limited. A recent report postulated a poorer long-term outcome of LDLT in these adults. We reviewed our experience to evaluate the validity of this hypothesis. Between January 1996 and October 2006, 385 LDLTs were performed at our institution. There were 80 post-Kasai BA cases in the series; 60 (75%) were pediatric, and 20 (25%) were adults. There were no ABO blood type-incompatible cases. None were complicated with severe hepatopulmonary syndrome, portopulmonary hypertension, or hepatocellular carcinoma. The 5-year overall survival rates were 90% for the adults and 90% for the children (P > 0.99). The median follow-up period was 7 years in the adults and 11 years in the children. There was no donor mortality. The outcome of LDLT in adult post-Kasai BA patients in the present series was satisfactory; that is, adult and pediatric patient survival rates were not different. This finding suggests that for post-Kasai BA patients without serious comorbidity at the time of transplantation, LDLT can be performed safely in all age groups.

One orifice vein reconstruction in left liver plus caudate lobe grafts

For maximum use of left liver plus caudate lobe grafts, the short hepatic vein draining the caudate lobe should be reconstructed. We devised a new venoplasty technique. On the graft side, a wide venous orifice with a long cuff was formed by gathering the left, middle, and short hepatic veins using a conduit vein graft and patch vein grafts. On the recipient side, three hepatic veins were connected to make a wide orifice. The liver graft was then connected to the recipient vena cava with a wide outflow tract and a venous reservoir. This new technique was adopted in 12 patients and the short-term results of this technique were satisfactory. The present procedure should simplify venous reconstruction in the recipient and might be useful to prevent hepatic venous stenosis resulting from graft regeneration.