The use of the inferior epigastric artery for accessory lower polar artery revascularization in live donor renal transplantation

Purpose This study describes the surgical technique and outcomes of live donor renal allografts with multiple arteries in which the lower polar artery was anastomosed to the inferior epigastric artery after declamping. Materials and methods Between 1988 and 2004, 477 consecutive live donor renal transplants were performed, including 429 with single and 48 with multiple arteries. Anastomosis of the lower polar artery to the inferior epigastric artery was used for 15 grafts with multiple arteries. Results Successful revascularization of all areas of the transplanted graft was confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography in most patients and radionuclide renal scanning ± MRA in some patients. Conclusions In live donor renal transplantation with multiple arteries, the anastomosis of the lower polar artery to the inferior epigastric artery after declamping avoids prolongation of the ischemia time that occurs with other surgical and microsurgical techniques of intracorporeal and ex vivo surgeries.     

Angioplasty and angiorrhaphy efficiency in renal transplantation scenarios with multiple arteries and veins

ObjectiveTo evaluate post-transplant renal perfusion and vascular complications of renal transplantation in patients with the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) operated in the presence of multiple blood vessels at Viet Duc University Hospital.MethodsA non-controlled interventional study was performed prospectively and retrospectively between January 2012 and June 2018. The study sample includes 84 patients who underwent live donor renal transplantation in the presence of multiple arteries (RAs) and veins (RVs) at Viet Duc Hospital. The surgical procedure comprised of end-to-side anastomosis to the recipient's external iliac artery/vein, gun barrel anastomosis of two RAs/RVs, anastomosis of the small RA/RV to the main RA/RV, anastomosis of the polar artery to the inferior epigastric artery, small artery constriction, and their combinations.ResultsOn clamp removal, 94% of the transplanted kidneys were solid and evenly pink, 3.6% had bruises due to small artery constriction, 1.2% were poorly perfused due to vasoconstriction, and 1.2% had renal artery branches occluded by blood clots and required anastomosis re-opening. All kidneys began to produce urine on the operating table.ConclusionA high success rate of renal transplantation in the presence of multiple blood vessels requires that surgeons have sufficient experience and use a combination of angioplasty and angiorrhaphy techniques.     

活体肾移植血管重建69例临床分析

目的 介绍活体肾移植血管重建的临床经验.方法 自2005年12月至2008年11月共行活体肾移植69例,供者手术均采用十一肋间小切口开放手术.58例单支肾动脉除2例外均采用肾动脉与髂外动脉端侧吻合重建血管,用4 mm打孔器作髂外动脉开口;6例副肾动脉分别采用原位（肾下极副肾动脉）或离体腹壁下动脉（肾上极副肾动脉）重建血管;3例双支肾动脉根据两支动脉口径不同采用不同方法重建血管;2例3支肾动脉采用受者离体髂内动脉重建血管.结扎多支肾静脉中较小的肾静脉只吻合其较大的主干,当两支肾静脉口径相近时,则将其整形为一个开口后吻合.结果 所有血管吻合均一次完成,开放血流时吻合口均通畅;所有供者和受者术后均恢复顺利,受者未发生血管重建相关并发症;随访1个月～3年,供受者均存活, 受者除1例血肌酐250～300 μmol/L外,68例血肌酐维持在70～150 μmol/L.结论 该活体肾移植血管重建方式安全、实用、操作方便,多支供肾动脉及多支供肾静脉均能较好重建,移植肾功能良好.     

供肾血管损伤的外科处理

目的　探讨供肾血管损伤的处理方法 ,为临床提供参考依据。方法　回顾性分析 32例供肾血管损伤同种异体肾移植患者的资料 ,选取 6 0例同期施行肾移植非供肾血管损伤患者作为对照组。供肾血管损伤的修复方法主要包括供肾动脉端端吻合术、并接吻合术、交接吻合术、供 (受 )体髂内血管肾动脉修复术、腹壁下动脉肾动脉吻合术、供肾倒置下极肾动脉髂内动脉吻合术等。结果2 8例为肾动脉损伤 ,4例肾静脉损伤。平均体外修复手术时间 4 2min ,平均温缺血时间 31min。随访 1～ 5 (平均 3 5 )年 ,无患者死亡。供肾血管损伤组和对照组 1年移植肾存活率、术后 1年急性排斥反应、肾功能延迟恢复及血管吻合口狭窄发生率分别为 96 9% ,98 3% (P >0 0 5 ) ;12 5 % ,11 7% (P >0 0 5 ) ;2 1 9% ,18 3% (P >0 0 5 ) ;3 1% ,1 7% (P >0 0 5 )。结论　灵活、恰当地应用不同修复方法和良好的外科操作技术对保证血管损伤供肾的质量、提高利用率有重要作用。     

14例亲属活体供肾动脉变异的血管重建

目的 探讨亲属活体供肾动脉变异的血管重建方法.方法 在104例亲属活体供肾移植中,有14例供肾动脉变异.供肾动脉变异的分类和血管重建方法分别为:(1)单支动脉较早分支型2例,取肾时分支受损,分别用受者髂内动脉及其分支、腹壁下动脉离体重建受损动脉.(2)双支动脉型10例,4例用受者髂内动脉及其分支离体重建血管,3例用受者腹壁下动脉与较细分支于体内吻合,1例较短肾动脉与较长肾动脉端侧吻合,1例较细副.肾动脉与主肾动脉端侧吻合,1例双支分别与髂外动脉端侧吻合.(3)3支动脉型2例,1例用受者髂内动脉及分支离体重建血管,1例结扎细小分支后,将较细的副肾动脉与主肾动脉端侧吻合.14例血管重建后,分别将供肾动脉较粗支和/或髂内动脉主干端与受者髂外动脉端侧吻合.结果 术后各支动脉血流通畅,移植.肾血液供应丰富、均匀.12例肾功能早期恢复正常,其中1例术后第14天发生急性排斥反应.1例术后即发生急性排斥反应;1例血肌酐下降缓慢.随访至2008年7月,除1例动脉粥样硬化较重的受者(三支动脉)下极动脉栓塞,血肌酐升高并稳定在170μmol/L外,其余患者动脉血流通畅,血液供应丰富、均匀.结论 供肾动脉变异时,利用所得供肾动脉的自身条件重建血管,或用受者髂内动脉及分支或腹壁下动脉重建血管,可获得较好的移植肾功能.受者动脉粥样硬化较重,同时有较细肾动脉支做重建吻合时,应注意该支动脉发生栓塞的可能.     

A Cadaveric Study about the Anomolous Origin of Testicular Arteries Arising from the Accessory Renal Arteries

Testicular arteries are paired vessels, arising from the abdominal aorta, at the level of second lumbar vertebra. Variations in the origin of these vessels highlight a potential importance regarding the vascular supply to the gonads and kidneys. This study was designed to assess the variations in the origin, course, and distance about the point of origin of the testicular arteries. The posterior abdominal walls of 40 male cadavers were studied on either side, during routine dissection in the Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. A majority had a normal course and the variations were reported as: a) Bilateral origin of gonadal arteries from accessory renal arteries, b) Unilateral origin of the gonadal artery from the left accessory renal artery, and c) Unique origin of the right testicular artery from the right inferior epigastric artery and left testicular artery from descending thoracic aorta above the aortic opening of the diaphragm. Due to the embryological attribution, these variations in the testicular arteries indicate an alarming threat to the radiologists and surgeons during renal transplants and nephrectomies, as these vessels monopolize the vascular supply to the gonads. This study was undertaken to document the incidence of testicular arteries originating from accessory renal arteries.     

Coronary bypass with both internal mammary and inferior epigastric arteries.

A patient having undergone triple coronary artery bypass grafting with the left internal mammary artery and both shorter saphenous veins was reoperated on because of occlusion of the venous grafts. As there was no other vascular substitute available, the right internal mammary artery and both inferior epigastric arteries were used to achieve myocardial revascularization. This case demonstrates that bilateral internal mammary arteries and inferior epigastric arteries can be used safely.     

Colour Doppler ultrasound evaluation of haemodynamic changes in free tram flaps and their donor sites.

Colour Doppler ultrasound (US) was used to measure the blood flow in the donor and recipient arteries as well as in the deep superior epigastric artery of 10 patients having free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps. The peak, minimum and mean velocities, the diameter of the vessel, and the resistance index of both the deep superior and inferior epigastric arteries and thoracodorsal arteries were recorded preoperatively and at 4-6 and 15-30 days postoperatively. Colour Doppler US showed increased minimum velocity and decreased resistance index in the pedicle (p < 0.05) throughout the follow-up when compared with the baseline. In the ipsilateral superior epigastric artery the mean and minimum velocities increased (p < 0.05) while the resistance index decreased (p < 0.05) during the first month postoperatively. No changes were recorded in the opposite epigastric arteries or in the control vessel (opposite thoracodorsal artery). In all patients the diameter of the deep inferior epigastric artery was larger than that of the superior epigastric and remained so after the transfer. From the fourth to the thirtieth postoperative day blood flow increased in the free TRAM flap, presumably because of decreased vascular resistance. Blood flow also increased in the superior epigastic artery on the donor side after free TRAM transfer as expected (indicating the delay phenomenon), but harvesting the flap did not affect the circulation in the opposite rectus abdominis muscle. The inferior epigastric arterial system was dominant in all patients.     

The inferior epigastric arteries as coronary bypass conduits. Size, preoperative duplex scan assessment of suitability, and early clinical experience.

We are currently evaluating the inferior epigastric artery as an alternative arterial conduit for coronary bypass grafting. Fifty-seven inferior epigastric arteries were harvested from 47 adults. There were no differences in size between the right and left inferior epigastric arteries. Diameter was 2.5 to 3.5 mm proximally and 2 to 3 mm distally. Usable length was 6 to 16 cm (mean 11.2 +/- 0.25 cm). Grade I/IV atherosclerosis was found in one patient (2.1%). Duplex scanning was used for preoperative evaluation of the inferior epigastric arteries in 51 patients. In 21 patients the arteries were not harvested, in part because of duplex scan findings of small caliber or early bifurcation. In 30 patients the duplex findings could be compared with the surgical findings. The average length at operation was twice the length detected on duplex scan (11.2 cm versus 5.8 cm, p less than 0.001). There was a good correlation between diameter on duplex scan and that measured at operation (2.56 +/- 0.05 versus 2.62 +/- 0.07, p = not significant). Between December 1989 and May 1991, 38 patients (29 to 74 years, mean 56 years) received 42 inferior epigastric artery grafts. Proximal anastomoses were to the aorta in 17, to the vein graft hood in 20, or onto an internal mammary artery graft in 5. Distal anastomoses were to the left anterior descending artery in 2, the diagonal branch in 27, the marginal branch in 9, or the right coronary artery in 4. There were no early deaths. Complications included perioperative myocardial infarction in 1, deep sternal wound infection in 2, superficial infection at the harvest site of the inferior epigastric artery in 5, and reexploration for bleeding in 2. Because of its size and the low incidence of atherosclerosis, the inferior epigastric artery may evolve as an alternative arterial conduit for coronary bypass. Duplex scanning is a valuable noninvasive tool for preoperative evaluation of the artery's suitability. Long-term studies of patency of the inferior epigastric artery as a coronary bypass conduit are needed.     

Injury of the right and left inferior epigastric artery during the implantation of a stand-alone ALIF cage through a left retroperitoneal approach: a case report

Various perioperative vascular complications of anterior lumbar spine procedures have been described in orthopaedic literature. We report the unusual case of a perioperative bleeding from the right and left epigastric inferior artery occurring when using a stand-alone ALIF device (Synfix, Synthes, Oberdorf, Switzerland) at the L5/S1 level through an anterior left retroperitoneal approach. The primary stability of the Synfix is achieved by four divergent screws which are inserted through the anteriorly located plate into the neighbouring vertebral endplates. For the screw insertion the surrounding structures have to be mobilized more extensively than during a “standard” anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) procedure. The epigastric inferior arteries were embolized by applying polyvinyl alcohol particles and metal coils. The retroperitoneal haematoma caused herniation of the external rectus sheath. Hence revision surgery with removal of the haematoma and resuturing of the rectus sheath were performed. Insertion of divergent screws of the Synfix device may cause severe distension and rupture of the epigastric vessels. This case shows that a lesion of the right epigastric artery may be a hazard even in left retroperitoneal approaches. To the author’s knowledge this is the first case describing a lesion of the right epigastric artery during an ALIF procedure through a left retroperitoneal approach.     

Use of inferior epigastric artery for extracorporeal microvascular branch renal artery reconstruction

The inferior epigastric artery provides an excellent free graft for repairing complex intrarenal vascular lesions involving small peripheral arterial branches. Two patients are presented in whom extracorporeal microvascular branch renal artery reconstruction was achieved with a simple or branched graft of the inferior epigastric artery.     

Colour Doppler Ultrasound Evaluation of Haemodynamic Changes in Free Tram Flaps and Their Donor Sites

Colour Doppler ultrasound (US) was used to measure the blood flow in the donor and recipient arteries as well as in the deep superior epigastric artery of 10 patients having free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps. The peak, minimum and mean velocities, the diameter of the vessel, and the resistance index of both the deep superior and inferior epigastric arteries and thoracodorsal arteries were recorded preoperatively and at 4-6 and 15-30 days postoperatively. Colour Doppler US showed increased minimum velocity and decreased resistance index in the pedicle ( p < 0.05) throughout the follow-up when compared with the baseline. In the ipsilateral superior epigastric artery the mean and minimum velocities increased ( p < 0.05) while the resistance index decreased ( p < 0.05) during the first month postoperatively. No changes were recorded in the opposite epigastric arteries or in the control vessel (opposite thoracodorsal artery). In all patients the diameter of the deep inferior epigastric artery was larger than that of the superior epigastric and remained so after the transfer. From the fourth to the thirtieth postoperative day blood flow increased in the free TRAM flap, presumably because of decreased vascular resistance. Blood flow also increased in the superior epigastic artery on the donor side after free TRAM transfer as expected (indicating the delay phenomenon), but harvesting the flap did not affect the circulation in the opposite rectus abdominis muscle. The inferior epigastric arterial system was dominant in all patients.     

Anatomical considerations on the renal arterial segmentation

We studied the arterial segmentation of the kidney observing the basic mode of finishing of the renal arteries and the distribution of the second order arteries in renal parenchyma. Our study was performed on 194 human kidneys resulted by evisceration and we have also analyzed the renal angiographies. As methods of study we used dissection, injection of plastic material followed by corrosion. In 10.82% of cases we found 3 arterial segments: anterior; posterior; inferior polar (basal). In 39.69% of cases au we found 4 arterial segments: apical (superior polar); middle (meso-ventral); inferior (basal or inferior polar); posterior (retro-pyelic). We found 5 arterial segments in 83 kidneys (42.78%). The 5 arterial segments are as follows: apical (superior polar); superior (meso-ventral superior); middle (meso-ventral inferior); inferior (basal or inferior polar); posterior (retro-pyelic). In 13 cases (6.7%) we found 6 renal arterial segments: superior polar (apical); superior pre-pyelic (meso-renal superior); middle pre-pyelic (middle meso-renal); inferior pre-pyelic (meso-renal inferior); inferior polar (basal); retro-pyelic (posterior).     

Lower abdominal peritoneal flap based on the deep inferior epigastric artery: an anatomic study

Free flaps based on the deep inferior epigastric artery are known to be easily raised and offer a long and reliable vascular pedicle. According to the defect size and consistency, they can be raised as muscular, myocutaneous and as a sandwich flap, including the peritoneum [5]. A free flap consisting of only the peritoneum has been speculated on. Seventeen dissections on fresh cadavers were performed. The visualization of the vascular pedicle was obtained by blue dye coloration, contrast medium angiography, and intravascular silicone latex injections. It was found that the parietal peritoneum of the lower abdomen was constantly supplied by an axial branch of the deep inferior epigastric artery and not by muscle perforators.     

四维CT血管显影在腹壁下动脉穿支血管构造基础研究中的应用

目的 应用四维CT血管显影研究腹壁下动脉穿支的血管构造.方法 2008年10月至2009年5月,取10具新鲜尸体腹壁标本,在腹壁下动脉的不同水平段将造影剂欧乃派克灌注入皮瓣,包括腹壁下动脉主干、内排分支、外排分支、外排单根穿支、内排单根穿支,在灌注过程中应用四维CT进行扫描(三维CT加上时间轴称之为四维),将所获得的数据在CT工作站上进行图像重建与分析.结果 腹壁下动脉穿支在Scarpa筋膜(腹壁浅筋膜深层)浅面以及真皮下两个层次产生分支,最终走向真皮下血管网.腹壁中线两侧穿支吻合发生在真皮下血管网,较稀疏.皮瓣内血流的分布包括真皮下血管网以及已存在的血管结构2种途径.皮瓣灌注最好的区域是血管蒂同侧腹直肌的表面,其次是血管蒂同侧腹直肌的外侧,再其次是对侧腹直肌表面,灌注最差的是对侧腹直肌外侧.结论 四维CT血管显影是一种有效地研究腹壁下动脉穿支在浅筋膜内结构的方法.     

Rational selection of flaps from the abdomen in breast reconstruction to reduce donor site morbidity.

Reconstruction of the female breast following mastectomy has become commonplace. The number of donor sites have increased as the quest both for improving reconstruction and reducing morbidity continues. There are a number of donor sites which resemble breast tissue in terms of skin texture, suppleness and colour. The 'gold standard' for transfer in breast reconstruction, however, is the lower abdominal skin and fat. The tissue can be moulded into virtually any breast shape desired. The lower abdomen can provide enough material for total autologous reconstruction of small, moderate sized or even large breasts. This tissue can be transferred onto the chest wall for breast reconstruction using four vascular axes. These are the superior epigastric artery (SEA), the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA), a perforator of the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEP) or the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA). The main problem with the majority of these techniques is that they may be associated with significant donor site morbidity due to harvest of some or all of the rectus muscle. An order of decreased muscle harvest is as follows; pedicled TRAM > free TRAM > DIEP > SIEA. It is envisaged that morbidity will be reduced if the aponeurosis and musculature of abdominal wall is kept intact. This can be achieved in selected cases if the 'abdominoplasty' flap is harvested on the SIE vessels. We present a logical approach to harvesting the lower abdominal wall tissue in order to reduce donor site morbidity.     

Arterial grafts for coronary artery surgery

Fifty specimens of left internal mammary artery, right gastroepiploic artery and right inferior epigastric artery were examined for length, diameter and frequency of atherosclerotic changes. Mean usable length was 132.4 mm for internal mammary arteries, 127.9 mm for gastroepiploic arteries and 128.4 mm for inferior epigastric arteries. One gastroepiploic artery was occluded. Histological examination revealed atherosclerotic plaques in seven internal mammary arteries (14%), 12 gastroepiploic arteries (24%) and 14 inferior epigastric arteries (28%). These findings emphasize the superiority of the inferior epigastric artery as the graft of choice for coronary artery bypass grafting. Gastroepiploic artery and inferior epigastric artery should only be used as additional grafts if ‘all-arterial-grafting’ is intended.     

Preoperative duplex scan assessment of the inferior epigastric artery as a coronary bypass conduit.

The inferior epigastric arteries are currently being evaluated as alternative autologous arterial conduits for coronary artery bypass operations. The inferior epigastric arteries are variable in diameter and length and require harvesting through separate abdominal incisions. There is a need, therefore, for a method to preoperatively assess the diameter and length of the inferior epigastric arteries to determine their suitability as a coronary artery bypass graft. We have found that the duplex scan is a valuable noninvasive preoperative imaging modality to evaluate the inferior epigastric arteries.     

Banking a hemi‐abdominal DIEP flap: A pilot report of indications,technique, and utility

We present a pilot report of “banking” the contralateral hemi‐abdominal deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap under the abdominal closure in patients undergoing unilateral autologous breast reconstruction when a hemi‐abdominal flap suffices. Four patients undergoing unilateral autologous breast reconstruction with a hemi‐abdominal DIEP or superficial inferior epigastric artery flap had their contralateral hemi‐abdominal flap left in position, or “banked,” under their abdominal closure to be used in case of failure. This novel method may be of assistance when a free microvascular hemi‐abdominal flap is felt to be threatened or suspect. It provides a life‐boat for the younger and experienced surgeon alike, and most importantly, for the breast cancer survivor. Economic analysis of the technique reveals that the contralateral hemi‐abdominal flap should be banked more often than intuition alone would suggest. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 2009.     

Free perforator crossover TRAM flap for breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction using a transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap has become the preferred method of autogenous reconstruction for most surgeons. The vascular basis of both the superior and inferior vascular pedicles of this flap has been well documented. When a pedicled TRAM flap is based superiorly, the perfusion across the midline to zone 4 and sometimes zone 3 is, at best, variable. Augmentation of the blood supply of the contralateral side with various methods has been reported. The methods include the delay procedure, bipedicled flaps, supercharging, and turbo-charging. The deep inferior epigastric artery is the dominant blood supply, and a microsurgical free TRAM flap based inferiorly provides reliable perfusion, even to zone 4, which obviates the need for many of these maneuvers. It has also been demonstrated that the circulation across the midline in a TRAM flap is primarily by means of a subdermal plexus and that with a previous vertical midline abdominal scar there is virtually no midline crossover at any anastomotic level. Therefore, even with a free TRAM flap based on the dominant inferior pedicle, perfusion across a vertical midline scar is unreliable. As a result, many patients with a vertical midline scar have been denied the best autogenous reconstructive option. The authors present their experience with a free perforator crossover TRAM flap using a constant premuscular branch of the deep inferior epigastric artery and vein that provides many patients who have a previous midline scar with a genuine option for autogenous tissue breast reconstruction.