Combined resection of aberrant right hepatic artery without anastomosis in panceaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer: A case report

IntroductionThis case report is intended to inform pancreas surgeons of our experience in operative management of aberrant pancreatic artery.Presentation of caseA 63-year-old woman was admitted to our institute’s Department of Surgery with obstructive jaundice, and the pancreas head tumor was found. To improve liver dysfunction, an endoscopic retrograde nasogastric biliary drainage tube was placed in the bile duct. Endoscopic fine-needle aspiration showed a pancreas head carcinoma invading the common bile duct, the aberrant right hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery, and the portal vein. Enhanced computed tomography showed the communicating artery between the right and left hepatic artery via the hepatic hilar plate. By way of imaging preoperative examination, a pancreaticoduodenectomy combined resection of the aberrant right hepatic artery and portal vein was conducted without arterial anastomosis. Hepatic arterial flow was confirmed by intraoperative Doppler ultrasonography, and R0 resection without tumor exposure at the dissected plane was achieved. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful.DiscussionIn this case report, perioperative detail examination by imaging diagnosis with respect to hepatic arterial communication to achieve curative resection in a pancreas head cancer was necessary. Non-anastomosis of hepatic artery was achieved, and the necessity of R0 resection was stressed by such management.ConclusionBy the preoperative and intraoperative imaging managements conducted, combined resection of the aberrant right hepatic artery without anastomosis was achieved by pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreas head cancer. However, improvements in imaging diagnosis and careful management of R0 resection are important.     

Preservation of Replaced or Accessory Right Hepatic Artery During Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Adenocarcinoma: Impact on Margin Status and Survival

Aim  

The aim of the study was to determine the impact of replaced or accessory right hepatic artery (RARHA) during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA).     

Correlation between graft arterial anatomy and biliary complications after liver transplantation

Knowledge of the arterial vascular anatomy of the liver is important for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) because the lack of an adequate arterial blood supply results in biliary and parenchymal complications or graft loss. A number of reports have shown a relationship between aberrations of graft arteries and an increased incidence of early or late complications. Recent studies suggest no differences unless multiple anastomoses are required. The aim of this study was to report the incidence of aberrant hepatic arterial anatomy and its impact on vascular and biliary complications. We retrospectively reviewed data of 90 OLT performed on 82 patients, including 4 who underwent retransplantation from March 2003 to March 2006. The means recipient age was 52.47 years and 49 were men. The main caval vein reconstruction technique was piggyback (n = 55; 61.2%). The biliary reconstruction was performed by an end-to-end choledocho-choledocho anastomosis in 83 cases (92.3%) with choledocho-jejunal anastomosis (Roux-in-Y) in 7 cases (7.7%). Aberrant arterial anatomy was noted in 20 liver grafts (22.2%), namely, accessory right hepatic artery (n = 6; 6.6%), accessory left (n = 10; 11%), both accessory right and left (n = 3; 3.3%), and hepatic common artery from mesenteric artery (n = 1; 1.1%). Among the transplantations of grafts with aberrant arterial anatomy, 2 cases (10%) developed hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and 4 (20%) biliary complications. The rate of HAT and biliary complications among grafts with normal arterial anatomy was 3 and 8 cases (4.2% and 11.42%), respectively. Despite a greater number of complications among OLT with aberrant arterial anatomy, the Fisher test showed no significant relationship between HAT or biliary complications and aberrant arterial anatomy.     

Reconstruction of the hepatic artery using the gastroduodenal artery

Although injury of the hepatic artery is not common during the performance of biliary and pancreatic resections, the hepatic artery if involved by tumor extension can be injured during its dissection.Several methods for reconstruction of the hepatic artery have been described and although each technique is applicable in a specific situation, autologous tissue conduits are preferable in contaminated operative fields. We report here another transposition technique to reconstruct the proper hepatic artery using the gastroduodenal artery, which may provide a local autologous artery for repair of hepatic artery damage during pancreaticoduodenectomy.     

A Single-Center's Early Surgical Outcomes of Living Donor Liver Transplantation

BackgroundLiving donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has become an increasingly common surgical option because the number of cadaveric donors is insufficient to fulfill the organ needs of patients facing end-stage cirrhosis. Many centers are investigating different surgical techniques to achieve lower complication rates. We aimed to examine our complication rates in light of demographic data, graft data, and perioperative findings as a single-center experience.MethodsThe study included one hundred and three patients who underwent LDLT for end-stage liver cirrhosis. Demographic data; sex; age; blood group; Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score; Child score; etiology; liver side; graft-to-recipient weight ratio; hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile anastomosis type rates; anhepatic phase; cold ischemia time; operation time; and blood product transfusion rates were analyzed. Biliary complications in patients with single or multiple biliary anastomoses, right or left liver transplants, and with or without hepatic artery thrombosis were analyzed statistically.ResultsThere was no significant difference in biliary complications between patients who underwent single or multiple bile anastomosis (P = .231) or patients receiving right lobe and left lobe transplants (P = .315). Although there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of portal vein thrombosis between the regular and reconstructed portal vein anastomosis groups (P = .693), the postoperative portal vein thrombosis rate was statistically higher in patients with left lobe transplants (P = .044).ConclusionsVascular and biliary complication rates can be reduced with increasing experience.     

Management of postoperative arterial hemorrhage after pancreato-biliary surgery according to the site of bleeding: re-laparotomy or interventional radiology

Background/Purpose  Intra-abdominal arterial hemorrhage is still one of the most serious complications after pancreato-biliary surgery. We retrospectively analyzed our experiences with 15 patients in order to establish a therapeutic strategy for postoperative arterial hemorrhage following pancreato-biliary surgery. Methods  Between August 1981 and November 2007, 15 patients developed massive intra-abdominal arterial bleeding after pancreato-biliary surgery. The initial surgery of these 15 patients were pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) (7 patients), hemihepatectomy and caudate lobectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection or PPPD (4 patients), Whipple’s pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) (3 patients), and total pancreatectomy (1 patient). Twelve patients were managed by transcatheter arterial embolization and three patients underwent re-laparotomy. Results  Patients were divided into two groups according to the site of bleeding: SMA group, superior mesenteric artery (4 patients); HA group, stump of gastroduodenal artery, right hepatic artery, common hepatic artery, or proper hepatic artery (11 patients). In the SMA group, re-laparotomy and coil embolization for pseudoaneurysm were performed in three and one patients, respectively, but none of the patients survived. In the HA group, all 11 patients were managed by transcatheter arterial embolization. None of four patients who had major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection survived. Six of seven patients (85.7%) who had pancreatectomy survived, although hepatic infarction occurred in four. Conclusions  Management of postoperative arterial hemorrhage after pancreato-biliary surgery should be done according to the site of bleeding and the initial operative procedure. Careful consideration is required for indication of interventional radiology for bleeding from SMA after pancreatectomy and hepatic artery after major hepatectomy with bilioenteric anastomosis.     

原位肝移植供肝动脉变异的修整与重建

目的 探讨原位肝移植供肝动脉变异的修整与重建的方法与技巧. 方法 回顾性分析91例原位肝移植供肝修整以及变异肝动脉重建时处理的方法和技巧.结果 修整的91例供肝全部用于肝移植.发现其中20例(21.9%)存在肝动脉解剖变异,20例中12例需行变异肝动脉重建,动脉重建方法包括将变异的肝右动脉与脾动脉(7/12)或胃十二指肠动脉(5/12)吻合.供肝应用后未出现与修整相关的手术并发症. 结论 供肝的正确修整及合适的供肝动脉重建可减少肝移植后并发症.     

Hepatic Artery Anatomic Variations and Reconstruction in Liver Grafts Procured in Greece: The Effect on Hepatic Artery Thrombosis

Aims

Variations of the anatomy of donor hepatic arteries increase the number of arterial anastomoses during liver transplantation and, possibly, the incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT). In this study, we describe the arterial anatomic variations in liver grafts procured and transplanted by a single center in Greece, the techniques of arterial anastomosis, and their effect on the incidence of early HAT.

The implications of the presence of an aberrant right hepatic artery in patients undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy

Purpose  An aberrant right hepatic artery (ARHA) is a common anomaly and its implications for patients undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) have not yet been previously reported. We compared the outcomes following PD in patients with and without an ARHA. A novel classification of the anatomical course of ARHA, and surgical techniques for its identification and preservation are described herein. Methods  All patients undergoing PD between June 1, 2002, and May 31, 2007, were divided into two groups, one with ARHA and the other without. These groups were compared to identify differences in the intraoperative variables, the oncological clearance, the postoperative complications, and the survival. Results  A total of 135 patients underwent PD of which 28 (20.8%) patients were found to have either accessory or replaced right hepatic arteries (ARHA group). There were no significant differences in the intraoperative variables (blood loss and operative time) and the incidence of postoperative complications (pancreatic leak and delayed gastric emptying). Oncological clearance (nodal yield and resection margins) and survival were also similar in the two groups. Conclusions  The surgical and oncological outcomes of PD remain unaffected by the presence of ARHA provided that the anatomy is recognized and appropriately managed. Aberrant right hepatic artery can be classified into three types according to their anatomical relationship with the head of the pancreas. Presented in part at the 7th World Congress of International Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Association (IHPBA), September 2006, Edinburgh, UK.     

Surgical anatomy of the hepatic arteries in 1000 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Anatomic variations in the hepatic arteries were studied in donor livers that were used for orthotopic transplantation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Variations have occurred in 25% to 75% of cases. Donor livers represent an appropriate model for study because extrahepatic arterial anatomy must be defined precisely to ensure complete arterialization of the graft at time of transplantation. METHODS: Records of 1000 patients who underwent liver harvesting for orthotopic transplantation between 1984 and 1993 were reviewed. RESULTS: Arterial patterns in order of frequency included the normal Type 1 anatomy (n = 757), with the common hepatic artery arising from the celiac axis to form the gastroduodenal and proper hepatic arteries and the proper hepatic dividing distally into right and left branches; Type 3 (n = 106), with a replaced or accessory right hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery; Type 2 (n = 97), with a replaced or accessory left hepatic artery arising from the left gastric artery; Type 4 (n = 23), with both right and left hepatic arteries arising from the superior mesenteric and left gastric arteries, respectively; Type 5 (n = 15), with the entire common hepatic artery arising as a branch of the superior mesenteric; and Type 6 (n = 2), with the common hepatic artery originating directly from the aorta. CONCLUSIONS: These data are useful for the planning and conduct of surgical and radiological procedures of the upper abdomen, including laparoscopic operations of the biliary tract.     

胰十二指肠切除中合并肝动脉变异患者的诊治

目的 探讨肝动脉解剖变异在胰十二指肠切除术中的临床特点及处理原则.方法 回顾性研究2000年1月至2007年7月收治的176例胰十二指肠切除术患者的临床及影像学资料,探讨相关肝动脉变异的类型、影像学检查及术中处理原则.结果 经术中证实,176例患者中20例存在与胰十二指肠切除术相关的肝动脉变异,其中副肝右动脉起自肠系膜上动脉9例(5.1%),替代肝右动脉起自肠系膜上动脉5例(2.8%),肝总动脉起自肠系膜上动脉4例(2.3%),替代肝右动脉起自胃十二指肠动脉2例(1.1%).术前增强螺旋CT资料可明确诊断起源于肠系膜上动脉的变异肝动脉.20例患者中18例完整保留变异肝动脉,其中包含1例贯穿胰腺实质的变异肝总动脉;2例变异肝右动脉损伤患者积极处理后无严重不良后果.结论 术前增强螺旋CT多能准确显示肝动脉变异情况,合理的手术操作可妥善处理各种肝动脉变异.     

Two-step hepatic artery reconstruction for a hepatic artery lacking in length for the use of a microclamp in living donor liver transplantation

IntroductionWe describe successful two-step hepatic artery reconstruction in a patient whose graft site hepatic artery was too short for the use of a microclamp in living donor liver transplantation.Presentation of caseA 57-year-old woman was diagnosed as having hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis. Her 26-year-old son was the living liver donor. The living donor underwent right lobectomy. The dissected graft hepatic artery was too short for the use of a microclamp. The recipient right hepatic artery was cut and used as an arterial graft. The graft right hepatic artery was sutured to the right hepatic artery of the arterial graft and the graft posterior branch of the right hepatic artery was sutured to the middle hepatic artery of the arterial graft. After reconstruction of the portal vein and hepatic vein was completed, anastomosis was performed between the graft right hepatic artery and right hepatic artery. The patency of the vessels was checked using color Doppler ultrasonography for 1 week postoperatively. No postoperative complications involving blood flow of the hepatic artery were observed.DiscussionIn our case, the recipient hepatic artery was cut and used as an arterial graft. Although the number of anastomotic sites of the hepatic artery increased, we could perform hepatic artery reconstruction safely and easily.ConclusionTwo-step hepatic artery reconstruction is a useful method in cases where the recipient hepatic artery does not have enough length.     

Pancreaticoduodenectomy. The importance of preserving hepatic blood flow to prevent biliary fistula

The arterial blood supply to the common bile duct must be preserved during pancreaticoduodenectomy to avoid ischemic breakdown of the biliary-enteric anastomosis. Interruption of this blood supply can occur during operation because of inadvertent division of the common hepatic artery or a hepatic artery variation. Approximately 17 per cent of patients have a hepatic artery variation that could contribute to devascularization of the common bile duct during surgical resection of the pancreatic head. This report discusses these hepatic artery variations and the value of angiography in defining hepatic arterial anatomy prior to surgery. Two cases are presented in which biliary-enteric anastomoses became ischemic and dehisced secondary to interruption of hepatic arterial blood flow.     

An improved technique for regional perfusion chemotherapy in the presence of a replaced right hepatic artery using a single implantable pump

A new technique is described for regional perfusion chemotherapy in the presence of a replaced right hepatic artery. By anastomosis of the replaced right hepatic artery end-to-side to the left hepatic artery, a single implantable pump can be used to perfuse both lobes of the liver. This technique has the advantage of facilitating postoperative follow-up and substantially reducing the cost of the procedure.     

多层螺旋CT显示肝左右动脉变异的研究

目的探讨多层螺旋CT对肝左右动脉变异的显示能力。方法对接受多层螺旋CT肝脏增强扫描的268例患者进行回顾性动脉期三维重建,观察肝动脉变异出现情况。结果经典型肝动脉共198例(74%),出现变异肝动脉的70例(26%);其中代替肝左动脉(RLHA)19例(7%),代替肝右动脉(RRHA)27例(10%);代替肝左与代替肝右同时存在4例(1.5%);存在副肝左动脉的(ALHA)9例(3.4%);副肝右动脉(ARHA)11例(4.1%)。结论多层螺旋CT可以显示肝左右动脉的变异。     

Splenic Artery Transposition Graft Usage for the Supply of the Right Hepatic Artery: A Case Report

Hepatic artery aneurysms are responsible for 12% to 20% of all visceral arterial aneurysms. Because most patients are asymptomatic, this disease is generally diagnosed incidentally during radiologic examination. Aneurysm rupture develops in 14% to 80% of cases, depending on the aneurysmatic segment''s diameter and location, as well as other etiologic factors. Mortality rates associated with rupture range between 20% and 70%. Thus, early diagnosis and timely initiation of medical interventions are critical to improve survival rates. Here, we present a male patient, age 69 years, with a hepatic artery aneurysm that was detected incidentally. The 3-cm aneurysm was detected on contrast-enhanced computed tomography and extended from the common hepatic artery to the hepatic trifurcation. A laparotomy was performed using a right subcostal incision. After dissection of the hepatoduodenal ligament, the common, right, and left hepatic arteries, as well as the gastroduodenal artery, were suspended separately. Then, the aneurysmatic hepatic artery segment was resected, and the gastroduodenal artery stump was ligated. An end-to-end anastomosis was formed between the left and common hepatic arteries, followed by an end-to-end anastomosis formed between the right hepatic artery and splenic artery using a splenic artery transposition graft. Postoperative follow-up examinations showed that both hepatic arterial circulations were good, and no splenic infraction had developed.     

Biliodigestive Anastomosis After Intraoperative Irradiation in Swine

A large animal model was established to investigate the feasibility and suitable dosage of intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) to the hepatic hilum before biliary–enteric anastomosis is performed. Twenty-two Pietrain Hampshire pigs underwent gallbladder and proximal bile duct resection followed by IORT using 20–40 Gy and performing biliary–enteric anastomosis. In the follow-up period of 56 days, pigs developed dose-dependent complications like stenosis of the biliary–enteric anastomosis. Results demonstrate that IORT of the liver hilum up to 20 Gy is safe with acceptable early complications in the presented animal model. The porcine biliary–enteric anastomosis can tolerate intraoperative irradiation up to a dosage of 40 Gy without disruption.     

Innovative technique to reconstruct two branches of the right hepatic artery in living donor liver transplantation

Hepatic arterial thrombosis is a critical complication in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Two separate branches of the right hepatic artery (RHA) are sometimes observed and addressed by anastomosis of the larger branch first, then checking backflow from the smaller branch. If not good, the smaller branch must be reconstructed. We used the cystic artery as a conduit for the reconstruction. Meticulous dissection was performed to identify all branches of the hepatic artery in the donor operation. The length of cystic artery preserved was as long as possible. The cystic arterial stump was anastomosed to the stump of the posterior branch the of RHA under microscopic guidance on the back table. Patency was checked through the stump of the anterior branch of the RHA. With this technique, only one orifice, the stump of right anterior hepatic artery, was used for hepatic artery reconstruction. We have performed this technique in two patients. Both had good arterial flow after living donor liver transplantation. This innovative technique is easy and safe, and requires only one anastomosis, which, in theory, decreases the adds of developing hepatic arterial thrombosis.     

Hepatic portal venous gas associated with cholangitis following pancreaticoduodenectomy: Report of a case

A 63-year-old man developmented fever and shock 2 weeks after undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy for carcinoma of the gallbladder with duodenal involvement. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed transient hepatic portal venous gas in the right lobe of the liver, which had probably been induced by obstruction of the bilioenteric anastomosis by the biliary drain. The gas and bacteria, both of which are commonly observed in cases of bilioenteric anastomosis, may have been diffused through the sinusoid into the portal venous system. Thus, hepatic portal venous gas could be a serious sign when it develops in patients with cholangitis following bilioenteric anastomosis.     

Splenic artery transposition for hepatic arterial reconstruction in conversion surgery of an initially unresectable,locally advanced pancreatic cancer after gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel: A case report

Introduction and importanceRecent advances in chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy allow performance of conversion surgery by improving tumor shrinkage in select patients with initially unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC), thereby providing curative potential. The number of conversion surgeries requiring arterial reconstruction for select patients with initially unresectable LAPC following favorable responses is expected to increase, so providing effective options for safe arterial reconstruction is critical.Case presentationHerein we report a case of successful conversion surgery for initially unresectable LAPC with splenic artery transposition for hepatic arterial reconstruction after gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (GnP). A 71-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for evaluation of a pancreatic head mass after developing diabetes. She was diagnosed with unresectable LAPC, which was in wide contact with the common hepatic artery (CHA), proper hepatic artery (PHA), and splenic artery (SA). She received GnP, and after 6 cycles, durations of disease control and normalization of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) exceeded 7 months. She underwent radical subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy with CHA-PHA and portal vein (PV) resection (SA-right hepatic artery anastomosis/PV-superior mesenteric vein direct end-to-end anastomosis). Histopathological examination revealed R0 resection with a histological response of Evans grade IIB. No signs of tumor recurrence have been observed for 14 months postoperatively.Clinical discussionNo consensus has been reached regarding the optimal treatment regimen, duration, or criteria for conversion surgery in patients with LAPC, especially in cases requiring arterial resection. SA transposition for hepatic arterial reconstruction is generally very consistent, easily accessible, and offers adequate length and diameter for successful arterial anastomosis.ConclusionEven for a SA initially in contact with the tumor, SA transposition for hepatic artery reconstruction is a safe and effective option when tumor contact disappears due to chemotherapy.