Duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation utilizing right lobe graft

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and safety of duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) utilizing the right lobe. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Biliary tract complications remain one of the most serious problems after liver transplantation. Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy has been a standard procedure for biliary reconstruction in LDLT with a partial hepatic graft. However, end-to-end choledochocholedochostomy is the technique of choice for biliary reconstruction and yields a more physiologic bilioenteric continuity than can be achieved with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. The authors performed right lobe LDLT with end-to-end duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis, and this study assessed retrospectively the relation between the manner of reconstruction and complications. METHODS: Between July 1999 and December 2000, 51 patients (11-67 years of age) underwent 52 right lobe LDLTs with duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction and remained alive more than 1 month after their transplantation. Interrupted biliary anastomosis was performed for 24 transplants and the continuous procedure was used for 28. A biliary tube was inserted downward into the common bile ducts through the recipient's cystic duct in 16 transplants (cystic drainage), or a biliary stent tube was pushed upward into the anastomosis through the cystic duct in four transplants (cystic stent), or upward into the anastomosis through the wall of the common bile duct in 31 transplants (external stent). RESULTS: Biliary anastomotic procedures consisted of 34 single end-to-end anastomoses, 11 double end-to-end anastomoses, and 7 single anastomoses for double hepatic ducts. Overall, 5 patients developed leakage (9.6%) and 12 patients suffered stricture (23.0%). For biliary anastomosis with interrupted suture, the incidence of stricture was significantly higher in the cystic drainage group (53.3%, 8/15) than in the stent group consisting of cystic stent and external stent (0%, 0/8). While the respective incidences of leakage and stricture were 20% and 53.3% for intermittent suture with a cystic drainage tube (n = 15), they were 7.7% and 15.4% for a continuous suture with an external stent (n = 26). There was a significant difference in the incidence of stricture. CONCLUSIONS: Duct-to-duct reconstruction with continuous suture combined with an external stent represents a useful technique for LDLT utilizing the right lobe, but biliary complications remain significant.     

Intrahepatic artery pseudoaneurysm associated with a metallic biliary stent after living donor liver transplantation: report of a case

An intrahepatic artery pseudoaneurysm (IHAA) is a very rare but potentially lethal complication occurring after liver transplantation. This report presents a case of an IHAA associated with a metallic biliary stent after liver transplantation. A 40-year-old male underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using a left lobe graft. The bile duct reconstruction was performed with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. He developed obstructive jaundice 5 years after LDLT, and had biliary stricture of the anastomosis area, therefore, the two metallic biliary stents were finally positioned at the stricture of the biliary tract. He suddenly developed hematemesis 8 years after LDLT, and computerized tomography scan showed an IHAA. Although seven interlocking detachable coils were placed at the neck of the aneurysm, hematemesis recurred 3 days after the initial embolization. Therefore, retransplantation was successfully performed 25 days after the embolization of IHAA using a right lobe graft from his son. In conclusion, metal stent insertion can lead to the fatal complication of HAA. The placement of a metallic stent could have been avoided in this case. Percutaneous metallic stent insertion for biliary stenosis after liver transplantation should therefore only be performed in carefully selected patients.     

Severe outflow block syndrome caused by compression by the swollen caudate lobe after living donor liver transplantation: report of a case

A 50-year-old man with primary biliary cirrhosis underwent living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using a graft of a left hemiliver with a left caudate lobe and duct-to-duct hepaticocholedochostomy. Postoperative bile leakage necessitated percutaneous drainage 22 days after LDLT. The patient presented to our hospital 205 days after the LDLT with abdominal distension and fever. Computed tomography showed ascites and a diffusely mottled pattern in the graft. The caudate lobe was swollen, and its bile ducts were dilated. The inferior vena cava was forced to the right by the swollen caudate lobe, and the root of the hepatic vein was stretched. The hepatic vein was not contrasted. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed a biliary anastomotic stricture. Based on these findings, we diagnosed a severe outflow block of the hepatic vein and biliary anastomotic stricture. We performed balloon dilation of the biliary anastomosis and implanted a metallic stent in the hepatic vein. Thereafter, his clinical symptoms improved dramatically.     

Techniques of reconstruction of hepatic veins in living-donor liver transplantation, especially for right hepatic vein and major short hepatic veins of right-lobe graft

Living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is now widely accepted as a therapeutic option for adult patients with acute and chronic end-stage liver disease. In the early period, the left lobe was the major liver graft used in adult LDLT to ensure donor safety, especially in Eastern countries. However, the frequent extremes of graft-size insufficiency in left-lobe LDLT represented a greater risk of small-for-size graft syndrome in the recipient, which has focused attention on transplantation of the right lobe from a living donor. The major concern of right-lobe LDLT has focused on its safety for the donor and the necessity for including the middle hepatic vein (MHV) in the graft to avoid congestion of the right anterior segment. The MHV carries out important venous drainage for the right anterior segment and is essential for perfect graft function. The decision of whether to take the MHV with the liver graft (extended right lobe graft) or whether to retain it in the donor, with reconstruction of the MHV tributaries in the liver graft (modified right lobe graft) has been extensively discussed in numerous studies. However, adequate right hepatic vein and major short hepatic vein (middle and inferior right hepatic vein [RHV]) drainage of the liver graft is perhaps equally important as MHV outflow drainage for the integrity of right-lobe graft function. Herein, the author describes various techniques of venoplasty of the right hepatic vein (RHV) and the major short hepatic veins to obviate venous outflow obstruction in these veins.     

Rare Portal Venous Anomaly in a Living Liver Donor: A Case Report

Knowledge of the anatomy of the portal system is essential for safe liver resection. We report a very rare anatomic anomaly of the portal system in a living liver donor. A 24-year-old female living liver donor was found to have anomalies of the portal system on preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography. The ventral branch of the right anterior segment arose from the transverse portion of the left portal vein. The gallbladder and round ligament were positioned normally. Intraoperative cholangiography for evaluation of biliary anatomy revealed very low confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts. All the bile ducts from the right lobe merged into the right hepatic duct. A right lobe graft was performed, including the ventral area of the right anterior segment. The portal branch of the ventral area of the right anterior segment could be transected extrahepatically. In the recipient operation, each of the right main portal branches, including the right posterior segment branch and the dorsal branch of the right anterior segment, and the ventral branch of the right anterior segment, were anastomosed to the right and left branches of the portal vein, respectively, of the recipient. The transected right hepatic duct of the graft was anastomosed with the recipient's common hepatic duct. Sixteen years after the liver transplant, the recipient continues to do well and has good portal flow.     

Intractable Biliary Strictures After Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Case Series

BackgroundBiliary stricture (BS) is a severe complication after liver transplantation. It is difficult to treat, especially after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We successfully treated 4 patients for intractable BS after LDLT. All patients had developed cholangitis with stenosis of bile ducts anastomosis.Case 1. A 65-year-old woman underwent LDLT with right lobe graft and duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction. Internal plastic stents inserted by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) were changed quarterly for the next 2 years.Case 2A 55-year-old man underwent LDLT with right lobe graft and duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction. Insertion of internal plastic stents by ERC was attempted; however, the posterior bile duct branch showed complete obstruction. After percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTCD), the stents were inserted using the rendezvous technique of ERC and were changed by ERC quarterly for the next 3 years.Case 3A 22-year-old man underwent LDLT with left lobe graft and hepaticojejunostomy. An external drainage tube was inserted by PTCD, and stents were changed quarterly for the next 2 years.Case 4A 60-year-old man underwent LDLT with right lobe graft and hepaticojejunostomy. An external drainage tube was inserted by PTCD, and changed to a metallic stent after 1 year. Three months later the stent was extracted using the rendezvous technique of double balloon enteroscopy.ConclusionBS of complete obstruction type after LDLT is difficult to treat. Appropriate procedures should be chosen based on the types of strictures and biliary reconstruction methods.     

Long-Term Feasibility of Rescue Reconstruction for Isolated Bile Ducts With Using Cystic Duct in Living Donor Liver Transplantation

BackgroundThe isolated bile duct is sometimes observed in the right liver graft of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Even though, as a rescue option, it is known to use the recipient's cystic duct (CyD) for duct-to-duct anastomosis, the long-term feasibility of rescue duct-to-CyD (D-CyD) anastomosis remains unclear.MethodsWe prospectively collected data in the right liver-LDLT cohort and compared rescue D-CyD anastomosis (n = 4) with standard duct-to-hepatic duct (D-HD, n = 45) anastomosis (D-CyD group, n = 4).ResultsThe observation period was over 5 years (range, 68-171 mo) after LDLT.The D-CyD group included the following anastomosis procedures: anastomosis between the intrahepatic bile duct of the graft and the CyD of the recipient and anastomosis between the posterior HD and the CyD. Surgical outcomes between the 2 groups are similar, excluding the time for the biliary reconstruction (D-CyD, 116 ± 13 min vs D-HD, 57 ± 3 min). During the period, one recipient in the D-CyD group exhibited postoperative biliary stricture and biliary stone, and 6 recipients underwent those complications in the D-HD group (D-CyD, 25.0% vs D-HD, 13.3%) All recipients in the D-CyD group are presently alive and have not experienced liver dysfunction.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that rescue D-CyD anastomosis for an isolated bile duct in a right liver LDLT is acceptable as a life-saving option in terms of long-term feasibility.     

Adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation at the Asan Medical Center,Korea

Between February 1997 and December 2001, 311 adult-to-adult living donor liver transplants (A-A LDLTs) were performed at the Asan Medical Center for patients above 20 years of age. Indications for A-A LDLT were: chronic hepatitis B (203), chronic hepatitis C (5), hepatocellular carcinoma (64), alcoholic cirrhosis (9), cryptogenic cirrhosis (4), secondary biliary cirrhosis (5), primary biliary cirrhosis (1), Wilson' s disease (2), autoimmune hepatitis (1), hepatic tuberculosis (1), cholangiocarcinoma (1), fulminant hepatic failure (14) and primary non-function of cadaveric liver graft (1). Of 311 A-A LDLTs, 36 were of medical high urgency, 20 were for acute and subacute hepatic failure, 15 were for hepato-renal syndrome and 1 was for primary non-function. Recipient age ranged from 27 to 64 years. Donor age ranged from 16 to 62 years. There was no donor mortality. Implanted liver grafts were categorized into seven types: 175 modified right lobe (MRL), 70 left lobe, 32 right lobe, 20 dual grafts, 10 left lobe plus caudate lobe, three extended right lobe and one posterior segment. In MRL, the tributaries of the middle hepatic vein were reconstructed by interpositioning a vein graft. Indication for dual graft implantation was the same as single graft A-A LDLT, and four of 20 were emergency cases. Of 20 dual grafts, 14 received two left lobes, four received a left lobe and a lateral segment, one received a right lobe and a left lobe and one received a lateral segment and a posterior segment. Graft volume ranged from 28% to 83% of the standard liver volume of the recipients. There were 33 (10.6%) in-hospital mortalities (< 4 months) among the 310 patients after 311 A-A LDLTs. Of the 36 patients receiving emergency transplants, 31 survived. These encouraging results justify the expansion of A-A LDLT in coping with increasing demands, even in urgent situations. We have aimed to introduce the establishment of the efficacy of A-A LDLT in various end-stage chronic and acute liver diseases, as well as new technical advances to overcome small graft-size syndrome by using dual-graft implantation and MRL, both of which were first developed in our department.     

胆道数字成像技术在活体肝移植肝内胆道解剖分型及胆道切面确定中的应用

目的 评价术中胆道数字成像技术在活体肝移植(living donor liver transplantation,LDLT)肝内胆道解剖分型和胆道切面确定中的作用及临床价值.方法 66例LDLT供者,通过术中胆道数字减影了解胆道分型及变异,结合金属标志物准确选择胆道离断位置,与手术结果比较,分析其在LDLT供者术中胆道解剖描述及切面确定中的作用.结果 所有供者均采用胆道数字成像技术对肝内胆道解剖进行分型,Ⅰ型(经典型)45例(68.2%),Ⅱ型(三叉型,胆总管由右前肝管、右后肝管、左肝管汇合而成)7例(10.6%),Ⅲ型(无右肝管主干,右后肝管汇入肝总管)13例(19.7%),Ⅳ型(无右肝管主干,右后肝管汇入左肝管)1例(1.5%),Ⅴ型(复杂分型)0例(0%).Ⅰ型所有供者均形成单一吻合口;Ⅱ型7例供者中4例形成2个吻合口,3例经成形或非成形后形成1个吻合口;Ⅲ型13例供者中9例形成2个吻合口,4例经成形后形成1个吻合口;Ⅳ型1例供者,2个胆道吻合口.所有供者都完成活体右半肝切取术.结论 术中胆道数字减影结合金属标志物可以精确显示肝内胆道解剖及变异并准确定位肝管切面,减少胆道吻合口数目,有助于供肝的安全获取和移植.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate biliary digital imaging technology in determining the type of the intrahepatic bile duct anatomy and the transection plane of the duct in right lobe living donor liver transplantation(LDLT). Methods Mobile digital subtraction angiography was performed to show the intrahepatic bile duct anatomy of 66 liver transplant donor candidates. Combined with metal markers, the bile duct transection plane was defined. Comparing with the actual results, the effect of digital imaging technology in determining the intrahepatic anatomical variations and transection plane of the duct in LDLT was evaluated. Results Intrahepatic bile duct anatomical variations were showed in all donors by using digital imaging technology. type Ⅰ (classical type) was identified in45 cases (68.2%), type Ⅱ (with triple confluence, the simultaneous emptying of the right anterior segmental duct, right posterior segmental duct and left hepatic duct into the common hepatic duct) in 7 cases ( 10.6% ), type Ⅲ (no right hepatic duct stem, right posterior segmental duct draining into common hepatic duct) in 13 cases ( 19. 7% ), type Ⅳ (no right hepatic duct stem, right posterior segmental duct draining into left hepatic duct) in 1 case (1.5%), and type Ⅴ (complex variation ) in no case (0%). As a result, cases of type Ⅰ form a single anastomosis. In type Ⅱ, four cases formed double anastomoses, three cases formed single anastomosis with or without ductoplasty. In type Ⅲ, two anastomoses were formed in 9 cases, single anastomosis in 4 cases with ductoplasty. The case of type Ⅳ had double anastomoses. In all cases right lobe liver were harvested.Conclusions Biliary digital subtraction image combined with metal markers accurately defines intrahepatic bile duct anatomy and the transection plane, helping to reduce number of bile duct anastomosis, and contributes to safe graft harvesting.     

磁共振胰胆管成像在成人活体右半供肝术前胆道评估中的应用

目的 探讨磁共振胰胆管成像( MRCP)在成人活体右半供肝术前胆道评估中的应用.方法 76例活体肝移植供者,均切取右半肝用于移植.脂肪餐后进行术前MRCP检查,比较MRCP胆管分型与术中胆道造影胆管分型的一致性;在MRCP图像上测量右后肝管汇入部距左右肝管汇合部的距离及相应右后肝管的直径,对相应胆管测量长度及直径与术中胆道重建方式进行二分类Logistic回归分析,并得出术中胆道是否成形的ROC曲线及其长度临界值.结果 MRCP胆管分型与术中胆道造影胆管分型的符合率为97.4％.MRCP所测右后肝管汇入部距左右肝管汇合部的距离和胆管分型是术中胆道重建方式的重要影响因素,而右后肝管直径对术中胆道重建方式的选择无影响.胆道解剖结构变异或Ⅰ型胆管(MRCP分型)中右肝管长度≤4.2mm时,95％的供肝胆道断端数多于1支,且95％行胆道成形术;Ⅲ、Ⅳ型胆管(MRCP分型)所测胆管长度为3.8mm,是选择胆道成形术的分界点.结论 MRCP胆管分型能准确反映胆道解剖结构,MRCP右后肝管汇入部距左右肝管汇合部距离测量值可以指导术中胆道重建方式的选择.     

Biliary reconstruction in right lobe living-donor liver transplantation: Comparison of different techniques in 321 recipients

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of biliary complications after right lobe living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in patients undergoing duct-to-duct choledochocholedochostomy or Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy reconstruction. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Biliary tract complications remain one of the most serious morbidities following liver transplantation. No large series has yet been carried out to compare the 2 techniques in LDLT. This study undertook a retrospective assessment of the relation between the method of biliary reconstruction used and the complications reported. METHODS: Between February 1998 and June 2004, 321 patients received right lobe LDLT. Biliary reconstruction was achieved with Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy in 121 patients, duct-to-duct choledochocholedochostomy in 192 patients, and combined Roux-en-Y and duct-to-duct choledochocholedochostomy in 8 patients. The number of graft bile duct and anastomosis, mode of anastomosis, use of stent tube, and management of biliary complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall incidence of biliary complications was 24.0%. Univariate analysis revealed that hepatic artery complications, cytomegalovirus infections, and blood type incompatibility were significant risk factors for biliary complications. The respective incidence of biliary leakage and stricture were 12.4% and 8.3% for Roux-en-Y, and 4.7% and 26.6% for duct-to-duct reconstruction. Duct-to-duct choledochocholedochostomy showed a significantly lower incidence of leakage and a higher incidence of stricture; however, 74.5% of the stricture was managed with endoscopic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The authors found an increase in the biliary stricture rate in the duct-to-duct choledochocholedochostomy group. Because of greater physiologic bilioenteric continuity, less incidence of leakage, and easy endoscopic access, duct-to-duct reconstruction represents a feasible technique in right lobe LDLT.     

Use of the hilar plate looping technique for bile duct dissection in living donor liver transplantation significantly reduces recipient biliary complications

Biliary complications remain a major cause of morbidity after liver transplantation, especially in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Maintaining adequate blood supply to the bile duct is important for the prevention of biliary complications. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of different techniques for bile duct anastomosis on posttransplantation biliary complications. From August 2005 to August 2008, 121 liver transplantations were performed at our center. Among the total 121 liver transplant recipients, 68 patients underwent a LDLT using a right lobe graft and were enrolled in this study. We used classic dissection for the first 38 recipients and the hilar plate looping technique for the next 30 patients. The hilar plate looping technique involves the looping of the complete hilar plate and Glissonian sheath around the hepatic duct after full dissection of the right hepatic artery and portal vein. Biliary complications were defined as bilomas or strictures that developed within 6 months after transplantation and required surgical or radiological intervention. There were no significant demographic differences between the 2 groups. The incidence of complications was 15 (39.5%) for classic dissection and 3 (18.8%) for hilar plate looping. Furthermore, there were no biliary strictures in the hilar plate looping group, and there was a significant difference in the complication rate between the 2 groups (P = .011). In conclusion, the hilar plate looping technique during LDLT significantly reduces recipient biliary complications.     

成人右半肝活体肝移植胆道重建探讨

目的探讨成人右半肝活体肝移植胆道重建的技术问题.方法回顾性分析我院2007年4月至2009年5月完成的21例成人右半肝活体肝移植资料.供肝右肝管与受者肝总管单个吻合10例;供肝两支胆管开口分别与受者两支胆管吻合5例;供肝胆管整形成一个开口与受者胆管吻合5例,其中采用T管支撑2例,Y型管支撑1例;右肝管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合1例.结果4例受者术后1个月内死亡,1例因术后急性肝坏死行再次肝移植.其余受者存活至今,1年存活率为77.65%.受者术后发生胆道并发症7例,其中胆漏5例,胆道狭窄2例,均经外科手术处理痊愈.胆管与胆管单个吻合口组、胆管整形成一个开口与受者胆管吻合组和两支胆管开口分别与受者胆管吻合组比较,胆道并发症发生率差异无统计学意义(x2=0.659,P=0.719).结论根据供受者胆管情况,可以灵活采用单根胆管吻合、胆管整形、分别吻合和肝管空肠吻合等不同重建方式.后壁连续、前壁间断以及显微外科技术的采用可能有助于降低胆道并发症的发生率.     

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目的：分析10例活体肝移植术中的血管变异，总结其外科处理经验，进一步提高手术成功率，减少并发症。方法：2001年1月至12月，行活体肝移植10例，其中左半肝8例，左外叶1例，右半肝1例，供肝者均为其母，经术中B超及胆管造影以确定肝切线。供体单支肝动脉分支与受体肝动脉吻合，两支肝动脉分别与受体肝左、右动脉吻合。门静脉分支与受体门静脉主干吻合。供体肝静脉与受体下腔静脉行端侧吻合。胆管重建均采用肝管分支与受体胆总管端端吻合，置T管引流。结果：10例活体肝移植，1例因肝动脉血栓形成，术后5天需次肝移植；1例发生排斥；其余8例均康复出院，5例已上学。结论：活体肝移植术中血管重建技术是其重要环节，术前和术中了解供受体解剖变异并正确处理，可减少术后血管和胆道的并发症。     

活体肝移植的胆道重建技术及并发症分析

目的 探讨活体肝移植的胆道重建方法及并发症防治措施.方法 回顾性分析77例活体肝移植临床资料,其中74例行右半肝移植(带肝中静脉29例,不带肝中静脉45例),左半肝带肝中静脉1例,左外叶切取2例.胆道重建采用胆肠吻合或供肝肝管与受体肝管端端吻合.结果 供肝断面1个胆管开口为54例,多个胆管开口为23例;胆肠吻合2例,胆管端端吻合75例,63例留置T管;术后总体胆道并发症发生率为36.4%(28/77),其中胆漏为10.4%(8/77),胆道狭窄为26.0%(20/77).供肝单支胆道以及单个吻合口术后胆道狭窄的发生率明显低于多支胆道及多个吻合口(P<0.05).8例胆漏病人经过B超指引穿刺引流全部治愈,20例吻合口狭窄病人经T管窦道放置支撑管或通过ERCP进行扩张,肝功能全部或部分好转.结论 活体肝移植供肝切取术中注意对断面胆管血供的保护以及尽可能获得单一的肝管开口可有效减少术后胆道并发症的发生;内镜和放射介入技术是治疗胆道并发症的有效手段.     

Surgical anatomy of the bile ducts at the hepatic hilum as applied to living donor liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate anatomic variations of the biliary tree as applied to living donor liver transplantation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Anatomic variability is the rule rather than the exception in liver surgery. However, few studies have focused on the anatomic variations of the biliary tree in living donor liver transplantation in relation to biliary reconstruction. METHODS: From November 1992 to June 2002, 165 patients underwent major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection; right-sided hepatectomy in 110 patients and left-sided hepatectomy in 55. Confluence patterns of the intrahepatic bile ducts at the hepatic hilum in the surgical specimens were studied. RESULTS: Confluence patterns of the right intrahepatic bile ducts were classified into 7 types. The right hepatic duct was absent in 4 of the 7 types and in 29 (26%) of the 110 livers. Confluence patterns of the left intrahepatic bile ducts were classified into 4 types. The left hepatic duct was absent in 1 of the 4 types and in 1 (2%) of the 55 livers. CONCLUSIONS: In harvesting the right liver from a donor without a right hepatic duct, 2 or more bile duct stumps will be present in the plane of transection in the graft in 3 patterns based on their relation to the portal vein. Accurate knowledge of the variations in the hepatic confluence is essential for successful living donor liver transplantation.     

活体供肝肝移植成功的初步经验--附3例报告

目的 报告3例活体供肝肝移植成功的初步经验。方法 回顾性分析1例肝细胞癌伴肝硬化、1例先天性肝内胆汁淤积症及1例药物性肝炎病人活体供肝肝移植经过和供受体恢复情况。结果 供肝均取自病人父亲，1例为右半肝，另2例为扩大左外叶，供肝重量分别为835g、295g及320g。第1例供体术后有一过性黄疸，且有轻度胆漏，另2例供体术后恢复顺利，无手术并发症。3例病人手术均顺利，1例成人一成人活体供肝肝移植胆道重建为胆管端端吻合，术后定期行全身化疗预防肿瘤复发。2例成人-儿童活体供肝肝移植胆道重建为胆管、空肠Roux-en-Y吻合。3例病人均行肝静脉整形以保证静脉回流通畅。随访至今，供受体已分别健康生存16、14、13个月。结论 严格的病例选择，完善的术前准备，精细的手术操作及正确的术后处理是活体供肝肝移植成功的关键。     

Rendezvous Technique Using Double Balloon Endoscope for Removal of Multiple Intrahepatic Bile Duct Stones in Hepaticojejunostomy After Living Donor Liver Transplant: A Case Report

Cholangitis is a major complication following transplantation. We report a living donor liver transplant (LDLT) patient with cholangitis due to multiple stones in the intrahepatic bile duct during hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis, who was successfully treated with the rendezvous technique using double balloon endoscope. A 64-year-old woman underwent LDLT with right lobe graft and hepaticojejunostomy for Wilson disease. There was bile leakage with biliary peritonitis, which was treated conservatively after transplant. Two years after surgery, she developed reiterated cholangitis due to stenosis of hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis and multiple stones in the intrahepatic bile ducts.Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was performed. The size of the drainage tube was increased, and the anastomotic area was dilated in a stepwise manner using a balloon catheter. The stones were crushed and lithotomy was performed using electronic hydraulic lithotripsy through cholangioscopy. Finally, lithotomy was performed for the remaining stones through endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with the rendezvous technique using the double balloon endoscope.Rendezvous approach with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and double balloon endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was an effective treatment for the multiple intrahepatic stones in hepaticojejunostomy following LDLT with right lobe graft.     

Duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction without a stent in pediatric living-donor liver transplantation

Purpose

In pediatric liver transplantation, Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is often preferred for biliary reconstruction, especially in living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Limited numbers of duct-to-duct biliary reconstructions have been presented in pediatric recipients. We retrospectively reviewed our experiences with duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction without a stent in pediatric LDLT recipients.

Materials and Methods

Since September 2006, 32 LDLTs were performed using a duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction without a stent in 31 children (16 boys and 15 girls; overall mean age, 8.3 ± 5.1 years). We transplanted 19 left lobe grafts, 11 left lateral segments, 1 monosegment, and 1 reduced-size right lobe graft. Twenty-eight grafts had a single bile duct; the remaining 4, two bile ducts. We created a single orifice at the back table for the grafts that had 2 bile ducts.

Results

Two recipients developed bile leakage in the early postoperative period; 3 bile duct stenoses occurred in the late postoperative period. All biliary complications were successfully treated with interventional radiologic or endoscopic approaches. There was no morbidity and no graft loss owing to biliary complications. During a mean follow-up of 23.5 ± 13.6 months (range, 4-44), 4 children died and the remaining 27 (88%) are doing well with satisfactory liver function.

Conclusion

Our results showed that duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction without a stent was a safe technique for biliary reconstruction even among pediatric cases.     

Modified right liver graft from a living donor to prevent congestion

BACKGROUND: Right liver grafts without middle hepatic vein (MHV) drainage reconstruction resulted in severe congestion of the anterior segment (AS) in our early experience of adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). However, a detailed strategy for preventing such congestion or the necessity of MHV reconstruction has not been discussed in LDLT using a right lobe graft. METHODS: From July 1997 to February 1998, two of five right lobe grafts without MHV drainage reconstruction were complicated with severe congestion of the AS. Thereafter, 42 adult recipients who received right liver grafts with sizable MHV tributaries underwent the reconstruction of MHV drainage. All sizable (>5 mm in diameter) MHV tributaries were preserved during donor hepatectomy and were reconstructed with the recipient's autogenous interposition vein grafts at the bench surgery. The reconstructed vein grafts of this modified right lobe graft were anastomosed to the stump of the MHV and/or left hepatic vein of the recipient after graft revascularization. RESULTS: Serial Doppler ultrasonography, which was regularly checked until 30 days posttransplant, revealed the patent interposition vein graft in 38 of 42 recipients (patency rate 90.5%). In these 38 recipients, no evidence of congestion in the AS was recognized on enhanced computed tomography, while providing enough functioning liver mass comparable to an extended right lobe graft. Also, congestion-related graft injury, such as an infarct of the AS, was not observed in these recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Our early experience indicated the necessity of MHV drainage reconstruction in right lobe grafts, which do not have MHV trunk in certain instances. However, preoperatively, it is difficult to predict the degree of AS congestion of the right liver graft without MHV drainage reconstruction. We suggest aggressive reconstruction of MHV drainage tributaries of the AS, under the circumstances that sizable MHV tributaries are encountered, to prevent possible congestion-related complications.