Orthotopic transplantation of segmental hepatic graft from living donors in the dog. Technic and results

The authors describe new technic of non-auxiliary orthotopic transplantation of segmental liver harvested from living dogs. 32 dogs were utilized. In the donor dogs, the left medial and lateral lobes were mibilized. The left portal branch, left hepatic artery, left biliary branch and the left hepatic vein were dissected free. The segmental liver graft was perfused and cooled in-situ through the left portal vein. The recipient dogs underwent two steps total hepatectomy: First the segments I, II, III, IV and V were resected. The segments VI and VII were maintained as well as the right portal vein and the retro-hepatic inferior vena cava order to keep the splanchnic and caval flux and to avoid the spleno-cavo-jugular by-pass. The segmental liver graft was then transplanted in an orthotopic position. Termino-lateral hepatico-caval anastomosis and left porto-portal anastomosis as well as arterial and biliary reconstruction were executed. All the donors survived more than 30 days. Nine recipient dogs died during the first three post-operative days from hemorrhage (3 dogs), fibrinolysis (2 dogs), primary non function of the graft (2 dogs) and hepatic artery thrombosis (1 dog). Seven recipients survived more than 30 days.     

The experimental study on the temporary portal vein arterialization in the canine liver transplantation: preliminary report

To evaluate the feasibility of temporary portal vein arterialization (PVA) in orthotopic partial liver transplantation (PLT), we performed 5 canine PLTs with PVA assessing the changes in arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR) as an index of hepatic energy status, and measuring portal pressure and flow. After anastomosis of hepatic vein, the graft liver was revascularized with arterial blood shunted from the external iliac artery to the hepatic side of the portal vein. By using this technique, both anhepatic period of the recipient and ischemic time, especially warm ischemic time, of the allograft were markedly shortened (31.0 +/- 4.5 min: Mean +/- SEM). Four out of 5 recipients survived for at least 5 days (13 days in average). The AKBR was restored immediately after PVA and showed almost the same values as those at preclamping and after completion of anastomoses of both portal vein and hepatic artery. No significant difference in portal venous pressure was observed between during PVA and after vascular reconstruction. Portal blood flow during PVA was about one fourth of the total hepatic blood flow at preclamping. These results suggest that PVA can be used as an alternative procedure in PLT.     

Surgical management of anatomical variations of the right lobe in living donor liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To review the anatomical variations of the right lobe encountered in 40 living liver donors, describe the surgical management of these variations, and summarize the results of these procedures. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Anatomical variability is the rule rather than the exception in liver and biliary surgery. To make effective use of liver segments from living donors for transplantation, surgical techniques must be adapted to the anomalies. METHODS: Donor evaluation included celiac and mesenteric angiography with portal phase, magnetic resonance angiography, and intraoperative ultrasonography and cholangiography. Arterial anastomoses were generally between the donor right hepatic artery and the recipient main hepatic artery. Jump-grafts were constructed for recipients with hepatic artery thrombosis, and double donor arteries were joined to the bifurcation of the recipient hepatic artery. The branches of a trifurcated donor portal vein were isolated during the parenchymal transection, joined in a common cuff, and anastomosed to the recipient main portal vein. Significant accessory hepatic veins were preserved, brought together in a common cuff if multiple, and anastomosed to the recipient cava. The bile ducts were individually drained through a Roux-en-Y limb, and stents were placed in most patients. RESULTS: Forty right lobe liver transplants were performed between adults. No donor was excluded because of prohibitive anatomy. Seven recipients had a prior transplant and five had a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Arterial anomalies were noted in six donors and portal anomalies in four. Arterial jump-grafts were required in three. Sixteen had at least one significant accessory hepatic vein, and one had a double right hepatic vein. There were no vascular complications. Multiple bile ducts were found in 27 donors. Biliary complications occurred in 33% of patients without stents and 4% with stents. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical variations of the right lobe can be accommodated without donor complications or complex reconstruction. Previous transplantation and TIPS do not significantly complicate right lobe transplantation. Microvascular arterial anastomosis is not necessary, and vascular complications should be infrequent. Biliary complications can be minimized with stenting.     

大鼠原位肝移植模型的建立及术式改进

目的探讨用双袖套法建立大鼠原位肝移植模型的手术改进方法. 方法在Kamada等的袖套法吻合血管的基础上进行改进,供体改经腹主动脉进行肝脏冷灌注,肝上下腔静脉用缝合法吻合,门静脉和肝下下腔静脉用袖套法吻合,胆总管采用单管内支架胆管端端吻合下进行原位肝移植360例(次). 结果施行大鼠原位肝移植其供体手术时间(31.2±5.0)分钟,供肝修整时间(12.0±3.0)分钟,受体手术时间(45.0±5.5)分钟,无肝期(20.0±2.5)分钟,手术死亡31例,其中出血12例,肝下下腔静脉血栓8例,肝上下腔静脉回流不畅7例,袖套扭转或脱落4例.术后成活2天以上329例,成活率为91.4%.非干预组(非药物治疗组)1周存活率达86.5%. 结论改进的大鼠原位肝移植术操作简便,手术成功率高,可作为肝移植实验可靠、稳定的动物模型.     

猪辅助性部分肝移植模型制作及比较

目的建立猪的辅助性部分肝移植模型,观察其肝功能和术中血流动力学变化。方法 24头健康良种家猪,体质量23-30 kg,被随机分为供体(n=12)和受体(n=12)。气管插管 全麻,硫喷妥钠静脉维持。移植前切除受体肝左叶,供肝右叶作为植入肝。预实验2例行经体位转流的原位辅助性部分肝移植,对照组(5例)行简易转流下的原位辅助性部分肝移植。模型组(5例)行异位辅助性部分肝移植, 供肝被植入受体肝下间隙,供肝肝上下腔静脉与受体肝下下腔静脉端侧吻合,供肝门静脉与受体门静脉行端侧吻合,供肝肝动脉与受体脾动脉行端端吻合。供肝胆总管置管外引流。结果预实验中行体位静脉转流的原位辅助性部分肝移植的2例受体在肝上下腔静脉阻断后很快陷入血流动力学紊乱死亡。5例行简易静脉转流的原位辅助性部分肝移植的受体,2例在24 h内死亡,1例28 h,2侧超过48 h。而模型组受体 5例中有4例存活超过24 h。AST,ALT指标手术开始至术后24 h呈持续升高。模型组术中血流动力学较其他组稳定。结论该辅助性肝移植模型简明易建且具有不需静脉转流等优点,为研究辅助性部分肝移植原肝和供肝功能及血流变化提供了理想的平台。     

Could the use of interposition grafts for arterial reconstruction be avoided by more caudate graft placement in living donor liver transplantation?

One of the major challenges in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is short and small vessels (particularly the hepatic artery), particularly in segmental liver grafts from living donors. In the present study we report an alternative surgical technique that avoids interpositional vessel grafts or tension on the connection by anastomizing the allograft hepatic vein to the recipient inferior vena cava in a more caudate location. From March 2000 to January 2003, 28 patients (11 women/17 men) underwent 28 LDLT. Until June 2001, the preferred technique for hepatic vein anastomosis was end-to-end anastomosis between the allograft hepatic vein and the recipient hepatic vein (HV-HV) (n = 10). Thereafter an end-to-side anastomosis was performed between allograft hepatic vein and recipient inferior vena cava (HV-IVC) (n = 18). The level of venotomy on the recipient vena cava was decided according to the pre-anastomotic placement of the allograft in the recipient hepatectomy site with sufficient width to have an hepatic artery anastomosis without tension or need for an interposition graft during hepatic artery and portal vein anastomoses. Except the right lobe allograft with anterior and posterior portal branches, all portal and hepatic artery anastomoses were constructed without an interposition graft or tension in the HV-IVC group. Only one hepatic artery thrombosis developed in the HV-IVC group. As a result, this technique may avoid both hepatic artery thrombosis and the use of interposition grafts in living donor liver transplantation.     

Portal vein reconstruction in pediatric liver transplantation from living donors.

OBJECTIVE: The authors analyze the surgical pattern and the underlying rationale for the use of different types of portal vein reconstruction in 110 pediatric patients who underwent partial liver transplantation from living parental donors. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: In partial liver transplantation, standard end-to-end portal vein anastomosis is often difficult because of either size mismatch between the graft and the recipient portal vein or impaired vein quality of the recipient. Alternative surgical anastomosis techniques are necessary. METHODS: In 110 patients age 3 months to 17 years, four different types of portal vein reconstruction were performed. The portal vein of the liver graft was anastomosed end to end (type I); to the branch patch of the left and right portal vein of the recipient (type II); to the confluence of the recipient superior mesenteric vein and the splenic vein (type III); and to a vein graft interposed between the confluence and the liver graft (type IV). Reconstruction patterns were evaluated by their frequency of use among different age groups of recipients, postoperative portal vein blood flow, and postoperative complication rate. RESULTS: The portal vein of the liver graft was anastomosed by reconstruction type I in 32%, II in 24%, III in 14%, and IV 29% of the cases. In children <1 year of age, type I could be performed in only 17% of the cases, whereas 37% received type IV reconstruction. Postoperative Doppler ultrasound (mL/min/100 g liver) showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower portal blood flow after type II (76.6 +/- 8.4) versus type I (110 +/- 14.3), type III (88 +/- 18), and type IV (105 +/- 19.5). Portal vein thrombosis occurred in two cases after type II and in one case after type IV anastomosis. Portal stenosis was encountered in one case after type I reconstruction. Pathologic changes of the recipient native portal vein were found in 27 of 35 investigated cases. CONCLUSION: In living related partial liver transplantation, portal vein anastomosis to the confluence with or without the use of vein grafts is the optimal alternative to end-to-end reconstruction, especially in small children.     

活体肝移植受者的外科并发症防治

目的：探讨活体肝移植受者术后外科并发症的防治方法。方法：回顾性分析18例活体供肝原位部分肝移植受者的临床资料。结果术后发生肝动脉栓塞2例(11.1％)，其中1例手术取栓失败，2例均接受再次肝移植，获得成功；门静脉栓塞1例(5．6％)，手术取栓失败，患者死亡；胆漏2例(11．1％)，经置管引流、抗感染治疗后痊愈；无流出道梗阻及胆道狭窄发生。住院期间死亡2例，分别死于多器官功能衰竭、门静脉栓塞。结论：活体原位部分肝移植后的外科并发症重在预防，供肝的采取、修整以及手术技术是关键。     

门静脉-下腔静脉吻合术预防活体肝移植术后小肝综合征3例报道

目的探讨门静脉-下腔静脉吻合术用于预防活体肝移植术后小肝综合征(small-for-size liver syndrome,SFSS)的效果。方法 3例活体肝移植均采用不含肝中静脉的右半肝作为移植物。术中发现实测移植物(肝)重量/受体的体质量(体重)的比值(graft to recipient weight ratio,GRWR)为0.58%、0.77%及0.71%,均<0.8%,符合小移植物的诊断。处理:首先吻合肝静脉流出道,其次吻合门静脉,将受体门静脉右支与移植肝门静脉右支端端吻合,将受体门静脉左支与下腔静脉行端侧吻合达到门腔分流的作用,之后按顺序吻合动脉和胆道。术中均未行脾静脉结扎或脾切除等处理。术后定期随访。结果 3例患者术后均未发生SFSS并顺利出院,出院时间分别为术后25d、34d及56d。移植肝功能逐步好转,术后1d门静脉流速理想。移植肝增长良好。门静脉-下腔静脉短路通畅时间:除1例通畅持续仅104d,其余2例持续通畅。结论 LDLT术中进行门静脉-下腔静脉吻合术可以及时有效预防小移植物背景下的SFSS,受体门静脉左支与下腔静脉行端侧吻合的分流技术安全可靠。     

ENDOTOXIN LEVELS IN DONORS AND RECIPIENTS DURING ORTHOTOPIC LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

Background : The hypothesis being tested in this paper is that endotoxin levels in donors and in recipients during liver transplantation influences postoperative outcome. Methods : Endotoxin levels in systemic venous and portal venous blood were measured in 46 adult donors and 44 adult recipients (47 liver transplants) during the period 1992–95. Endotoxin was measured using a modification of the Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay. Results : In the donor, systemic endotoxin levels were above normal levels at 10.0 ± 1.3 pg/mL from the start and rose to 15.8 ± 2.9 pg/mL after dissection of the hilar structures, but fell to 10.6 ± 0.8 pg/mL just prior to the removal of the liver (control = 7.8 pg/mL). The mean portal venous endotoxin levels were 18.2 ± 3.4 pg/mL after dissection of the hilar structures and 12.6 ± 0.9 pg/mL after cannulation of the portal vein. In the recipients, the highest level in the portal venous blood occurred at the end of the anhepatic phase (46.5 ± 6.7 pg/mL). The systemic venous samples in the recipients were elevated to start with, but fell rapidly to 19.3 ± 1.5 pg/mL 24 h postoperatively, and to 13.2 ± 1.0 pg/mL by day 7. The endotoxin concentrations were higher in recipients who developed complications. Conclusions : Endotoxin is elevated throughout the recipient transplantation procedure and up to 7 days postoperatively. High levels of endotoxin at induction, the anhepatic phase and at certain time points correlated with patients who developed postoperative complications.     

活体肝移植术后胆管并发症的处理与预防

目的 探讨活体肝移植术后胆管并发症的防治.方法 84例活体肝移植,成人56例.小儿28例;良性终末期肝病66例,肝细胞肝癌18例.供受体胆管端端吻合重建50例,供体肝管与受体肝管端端和胆总管端侧吻合重建1例,供体肝管与受体肝管和胆囊管吻合1例,供体胆管与受体空肠Roux-en-Y吻合重建32例,所有胆管莺建后均置入4Fr或6Fr内支架管从受体胆总管前壁或空肠袢肓端侧肠壁引出体外.结果 术后发生胆管并发症24例,发生率为28.5%,胆管胆管吻合与肝管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合胆漏发牛率差异显著(8.3%νs16.7%,P＜0.05).胆管胆管吻合与肝管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合胆管狭窄发生率差异显著(50%νs 16.7%,P＜0.05).单支胆管与多支胆管发生胆管并发症差异湿著(20.8%νs 79.2%,P＜0.05).胆漏者保守治疗治愈4例,再次手术治疗治愈4例;胆管狭窄内镜下球囊扩张和鼻胆管引流治疗治愈4例,好转2例,再次手术胆管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合治疗治愈6例,经皮肝脏穿刺胆管狭窄球囊扩张治疗支架管引流治疗好转4例.该组资料无因胆管并发症死亡病例.结论 良好的胆管血供和吻合技术,选择恰当的胆管重建方式,是降低活体肝移植术后胆管并发症的重要措施.     

犬辅助性原位肝左叶移植模型的建立

目的建立稳定可靠的辅助性肝移植动物模型。方法杂交犬14条8～25kg随机分两组。供体组肝脏均采用尸体肝左叶；受体组行标准左叶切除，供肝左叶原位移植于受体体内。结果供肝热缺血时间为零，冷缺血时间平均36．3min；灌注液的量平均2．96L，切取修剪肝左叶时间为23～40min。受体手术平均时间5．3h，平均出血量140ml，肝脏血管重建后红润柔软，5～11min内即见胆汁从胆管中溢出。受体组术后全部存活，围手术期未用任何血管活性药物、抗生素及免疫抑制剂。术后存活超过6h者5例．最长存活者达5．7d。结论犬是建立辅助性肝移植模型的理想动物。     

成人间活体肝移植的手术技术改进(附13例报告)

目的探讨成人间活体肝移植的手术技术改进.方法2005年3-6月,施行了13例成人间右半肝活体肝移植,其中1例接受了2个左半肝,另1例接受了1个活体右半肝,1个尸体左半肝,术中采用了改良的手术技术,包括右肝静脉的重建,肝中静脉分支的搭桥,肝动脉搭桥及胆道吻合的改进.结果全组供体无严重并发症及死亡,受体发生并发症4例,包括肝动脉栓塞,胆漏,右膈下脓肿及肺部感染各1例,1例再移植因术后肺部感染,导致多器官衰竭（MOF）死亡.13例中除右肝静脉与下腔静脉（IVC）直接吻合,5例加行右肝下静脉重建,另5例采用自体大隐静脉搭桥行肝中静脉分支与IVC重建,保证了右肝的流出道通畅.移植物与受体重量比（GRWR）为0.72%至1.24%,其中9例＜1.0%,2例＜0.8%,无小肝综合征发生.结论采用了改进的手术技术,特别是肝静脉流出道的充分重建可有效避免小肝综合征,从而使活体右半肝移植成为相当安全的手术.     

成人间活体扩大右半肝移植治疗急性肝功能衰竭

目的介绍成人间活体扩大右半肝移植治疗急性肝功能衰竭的临床经验。方法对1例42岁男性急性肝功能衰竭合并肝性脑病Ⅲ期患者行活体扩大右半肝移植治疗。其45岁姐姐为供者,CT评估供者包含肝中静脉的扩大右半肝体积为728．4cm^2（801g）,供肝／受者体重比为1．3％。供肝之肝右、中静脉整形后与受者整形后之肝右静脉行端-侧吻合;供受者门静脉、肝动脉行端．端吻合。供肝胆管整形后与受者胆总管行端-端吻合。结果供、受者手术均成功。供者术后恢复顺利,受者术后8h恢复意识,14d后丙氨酸转氨酶、总胆红素等指标首次下降至正常水平。术后16d曾出现转氨酶明显升高,给予甲泼尼龙1000mg冲击治疗后恢复正常。随访至今,供受者已健康生存8个月,均未出现胆管、肝动脉及静脉回流等并发症。结论扩大右半肝移植在技术上完全可行。能为成人患者提供足够重量的移植物,尤其对于急性肝功能衰竭患者具有重要意义,术前精确的影像学评估,熟练的肝切除和肝移植技术是确保该类手术成功的关键因素。     

A Novel Technique for Auxiliary Partial Liver Transplantation With Reno-Portal Anastomosis and Avoidance of the Hepatoduodenal Ligament

Auxiliary liver transplantation (ALT) is a treatment for acute liver failure when regeneration of the native liver is possible or for metabolic disorders. In selected cases ALT and orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) have similar survival when ALT is performed in the orthotopic position (auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation, APOLT). Drawback of ALT with portal vein to portal vein anastomosis is the frequent occurrence of thrombosis, compromising both graft and native liver, and the necessity of a significant resection. To avoid division of portal flow we performed ALT with an end-to-end anastomosis between the graft portal vein and the left renal vein of the recipient (reno-portal ALT, REPALT). The hepatic artery was anastomosed to the aorta using an iliac arterial graft conduit. The bile duct was anastomosed to the stomach. In the two cases presented here excellent immediate graft function occurred with rapid regeneration of the graft and without early vascular complications.     

20%小体积的大鼠肝脏移植模型

目的 应用显微外科技术建立20%小体积移植物的大鼠原位肝脏移植模型.方法 原位移植建立20%小体积大鼠肝脏移植模型.雄性Lewis大鼠40只,供体20只,受体20只.供肝经门静脉用4℃ UW液灌注.肝上下腔静脉用端端吻合连续缝合的方法.肝下下腔静脉和门静脉分别用套管方法固定.套叠缝合法重建肝动脉.胆管重建采用内支架管端端连接的方法.观察移植物的存活率.免疫组化检测肝细胞摄取溴脱氧尿核苷的情况.结果 共施行肝脏移植手术20例,移植手术成功率为100%.20%小体积肝脏移植物的存活率为93.8%(＞14 d).组织学检查移植后的肝脏组织结构良好.移植术后72 h溴脱氧尿核苷染色阳性的肝细胞计数明显增多.结论 20%小体积大鼠肝脏移植物可启动完成移植后的肝脏再生.显微外科技术是移植模型成功的关键.该模型稳定性强,适合于部分肝脏移植领域的基础研究.     

Technical implications of living donor liver transplantation: a single-center experience

Liver transplantation for end-stage liver disease is the treatment of choice in current surgical practice. However, the shortage of cadaveric organs has limited this treatment option for many years. Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) may be an option to overcome the organ shortage. In the present series we report a single-center experience with 39 LDLT performed from March 2000 to June 2003. The main indications for LDLT was hepatitis B cirrhosis (11 patients). The recipient hepatectomy was performed with caval preservation. The hepatic vein anastomosis was performed either to recipient hepatic vein or inferior vena cava. The portal vein anastomosis was performed either to the recipient's main or right portal branch. Biliary diversion was performed to the recipient biliary ducts if possible, otherwise to a jejunal loop in Roux-en-Y fashion. The survival rate at the end of one year was 71%. The leading cause of mortality was sepsis in five patients. Biliary complications developed in 20% of the recipients. All bile leaks were from the Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Hepatic artery thrombosis was diagnosed in four patients by loss of hepatic blood flow on Doppler ultrasound. LDLT is a major surgical option for end-stage liver disease, particularly for countries with low rates of organ donation. However, there are technical challenges to be overcome such as small vessels from segmental grafts and multiple small bile ducts.     

MANAGEMENT OF BILIARY TRACT COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

Background : A review of biliary tract complications was performed in 32 patients who underwent liver transplantation by the Western Australian Liver Transplantation Service during a 2-year period. Methods : A review was made of patient data collected prospectively, and confirmed by retrospective casenote review. Results : A total of 30 patients (31 grafts) survived more than 2 days after transplantation, and of these 28 had an end-to-end biliary anastomosis. Analysis of these 28 patients found that eight of 17 patients with T-tubes had complications: three leaks at T-tube removal; two strictures and leaks; and three strictures. Six of 11 patients without a T-tube had complications: one leak; three strictures and leaks; and two strictures. Predisposing factors were present in eight of the 14 patients with biliary tract complications: hepatic artery stenosis in three; and one each with hepatic artery thrombosis; biliary calculi; donor–recipient bile duct mismatch; severe cellular rejection; and prolonged postoperative hypotension. Acute rejection, steroid-resistant rejection and cytomegalovirus infection were all significantly more common in those patients with biliary tract complications compared with those without. There was no difference in cold ischaemic time or donor age. Twelve of the 14 patients with biliary complications required endoscopic stenting with or without balloon dilation, and eight patients required radiological percutaneous drainage of bile collections. Only one patient required biliary reconstruction and two patients required re-transplantation. One patient died of uncontrolled infection. Of three patients who underwent choledochojejunostomy, biliary leak developed in two patients, both of whom required operative biliary and hepatic repair. One of the three patients died from disseminated Aspergillus infection. The median total hospital stay of patients with biliary complications was 61 days (range: 30–180 days) compared with 33.5 days (range: 22–70 days) for patients without. Of patients with end-to-end biliary anastomosis, 50% had biliary tract complications and more than half of these had predisposing factors. The majority of biliary complications were managed without the need for surgery. Conclusion : A total of 50% of patients with end-to-end biliary anastomosis had biliary tract complications. Biliary strictures presented later than leaks, and the majority of these complications were managed without the need for surgery.     

Evaluation, operative management, and outcome after liver transplantation in children with biliary atresia and situs inversus.

INTRODUCTION: Biliary atresia, a common indication for liver transplantation, can be associated with situs inversus. Our experience with liver transplantation in children (n = 6) was reviewed retrospectively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Preoperative duplex sonography, computerized tomography, and visceral angiography were obtained. Vascular anomalies identified included preduodenal portal vein (6/6), interrupted inferior vena cava (5/6), and aberrant hepatic artery (4/6). RESULTS: The liver graft was placed in a midline position. Venous continuity was achieved by donor suprahepatic inferior vena cava to recipient hepatic cloaca and direct end-to-end portal anastomosis. The donor infrahepatic inferior vena cava was oversewn. Arterial continuity was restored using either a direct branch-patch anastomosis (3/6) or a supraceliac aortic interposition graft (3/6). In retrospect, preoperative diagnostic work-up was noncontributory and outcome was not complicated by pre-existing situs inversus. CONCLUSION: Situs inversus in liver recipients requires operative technical modifications, but does not change outcome. Furthermore, extensive preoperative work-up should be avoided.     

Innovative techniques for and results of portal vein reconstruction in living-related liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Portal vein reconstruction is a crucial factor affecting the outcome of a successful living-related liver transplantation. We describe here our experience with portal vein reconstruction in 314 cases of living-related liver transplantation with use of novel surgical modalities to enable the transplant surgeons to deal with any size mismatch between the donor's and recipient's portal veins. METHODS: Portal vein reconstruction was classified into 2 major groups, anastomosis without and with a vein graft. When there was no stenosis of the recipient portal vein and the diameter was the same, the portal trunk was used for anastomosis. When the diameter mismatch was minimal, branch patch anastomosis was feasible. When the recipient portal vein was significantly stenotic and the portal vein of the graft was long enough, we removed the stenotic trunk and constructed an anastomosis between the graft portal vein and the confluence of the recipient portal vein. When the graft portal vein was short, a vein graft was interposed. The vein patch technique was preferable when the diameter of the graft vein was not large enough for the interposition technique. RESULTS: Anastomosis without vein graft included trunk anastomosis (n = 156), branch patch anastomosis (n = 39), and confluence anastomosis (n = 22). Anastomosis with vein graft used the interposition technique (n = 77) and vein patch technique (n = 27). The origin of the grafts was mostly from the maternal left ovarian vein (70%) or the paternal inferior mesenteric vein (27%). Complications related to portal vein reconstruction occurred in 16 (5%) patients: portal vein thrombosis in 8, stenosis in 7, and fatal rupture in 1 patient. The incidence of complications was similar for all techniques except for confluence anastomosis. CONCLUSION: Our innovative techniques should be helpful for overcoming diameter or length mismatches in portal vein reconstruction in pediatric liver transplantation.