Thrombendvenectomy for Organized Portal Vein Thrombosis at the Time of Liver Transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of portal thrombendvenectomy in cases of portal vein thrombosis at the time of orthotopic liver transplantation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) has been reported to have an incidence of 2% to 39% in end-stage liver disease. Multiple techniques have been suggested to treat this finding. Several reports have suggested suboptimal results after liver transplantation in recipients with PVT. METHODS: The authors prospectively collected data on 1,546 patients who underwent an initial orthotopic liver transplant at the authors' institution between December 1984 and October 1999. There were 820 male patients and 726 female patients. All recipients received either cyclosporine or tacrolimus immunosuppression. Intraoperative flows of the portal vein and hepatic artery were routinely measured. Duplex sonography was routinely performed on the first postoperative day and routinely 1, 2, 5, and 10 years after transplantation. Eighty-five patients underwent thrombendvenectomy for organized thrombus partially or completely occluding the portal vein. Postoperative treatment included low-molecular-weight dextran for 48 hours and daily aspirin for 3 months. There were 53 male patients and 32 female patients. The PVT group was compared with a control group consisting of transplant recipients without PVT. RESULTS: When compared with the control group, PVT patients were older at the time of transplantation and had a higher incidence of liver disease secondary to cryptogenic cirrhosis and Laennec's cirrhosis. There were no significant differences among both groups for 1-, 3-, and 6-year patient and graft survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombendvenectomy provides a rapid resolution of an otherwise complex problem. It is the authors' procedure of choice in cases of organized PVT at the time of transplantation. Operative time and length of stay in the intensive care unit are not prolonged, and patient and graft survival rates are not compromised.     

肝移植围手术期门静脉血栓的处理

目的 探讨肝移植围手术期门静脉血栓（PVT）的处理。方法 回顾性分析中国医科大学附属第一医院1995年5月至2008年6月实施的194例肝移植病人临床资料,术前存在PVT 24例,其中Ⅰ级12例,Ⅱ级9例,Ⅲ级2例,Ⅳ级1例。术中采取不同门静脉重建方式,结扎术前存在的门腔分流和粗大的侧支循环。术后根据凝血酶原时间（PT）,应用普通肝素或低分子质量肝素预防性抗凝。术中、术后应用多普勒超声监测门静脉血供。结果 术后PVT发生率2.58%（5/194）。1例PVT经外科门静脉取栓、重新吻合治愈,3例置管溶栓、支架植入治愈,另1例仅表现肝功能轻度异常,未特殊处理。与PVT相关病死率为0。其余病例随访6~ 104个月,未见PVT。结论 理想的门静脉重建方式、结扎门腔存在的分流和术后有效的抗凝可以减少PVT的发生,多普勒超声监测能早期发现PVT,挽救移植物,避免再移植。     

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??Management of portal vein thrombosis during the perioperative period of orthotopic liver transplantation WU Gang, LIU Yong-feng,CHENG Dong-hua??et al. Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital,China Medical University,Shenyang 110001,China Corresponding auther: LIU Yong-feng, E-mial: yfliu@mail.cmu. edu.cn Abstract Objective To analyze the managements of portal vein thrombosis(PVT) during the perioperative period of orthotopic liver transplantation.Methods Between May 1995 to June 2008,194 orthotopic liver transplantation were performed in our institute,of which 24 presented portal vein thrombosis .12 were grade ??,9 grade ??,2 grade ?? and 1 grade ?? . The management of PVT depended mainly on its extent.Ligation of the collateral circulation,especially spontaneous or surgical splenorenal shunt,was made as approaches to improve portal flow. Heparin or low-molecule-weight heparin as a prophylactic anticoagulation therapy was maintained during and after operation if prothrombin time is less than eighteensonds. Follow-up Doppler ultrasonography was used daily in the early postoperative period.Results After a follow-up of 6-104 months, overall incidence of portal vein thrombosis was 2.58%(5/194).Surgical thrombectomy and revascularization was carried out in 1 case. Percutanous thrombolysis ,balloon angioplasty, or stent placement via portal vein were performed in 3 cases.No treatment was given in 1 patient without hepatic dysfunction. Mortality related to portal vein thrombosis was 0.Conclusion PVT might be avoid by performing a ideal technique for managing PVT as often as possible,by ligation of portosystemic shunt during surgery, and by postoperative anticoagulation.Close follow-up by Doppler ultrasonography may make a prompt diagnosis and reduce PVT-derived loss of grafts.     

Portal Vein Thrombosis and Liver Transplantation: Long Term

Obstruction of the portal vein may be related to constriction by malignant tumors or thrombosis associated with liver disease. We herein have reported our experience with patients undergoing liver transplantation with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) whose diagnosis was made intraoperatively. From September 1991 to May 2009, we studied 27/419 (6.4%) patients with PVT who were evaluated according to the presence of esophagogastric varices, underlying disease, malignancy, and if there was previous surgery, review of medical records on data collected prospectively. We observed 24 (88.9%) patients with PVT grade 1, 2 (7.4%) with grade 2, and 1 (3.7%) with grade 3. The average age of the PVT patients was 47.5 years; the average model for End-Stage Liver Discase score was 18.3, and the predominant diagnosis, hepatitis C cirrhosis. Eighteen underwent a sclerotherapy/ligature. The sensitivity of ultrasound for grade 1 thrombosis was 39.1%; for grade 2, 50%; and for grade 3, 100%. Portal vein thrombectomy was performed in 24 patients. In other patients (grade 2), we performed an anastomosis of the donor portal vein to the recipient gastric vein or to a greater splanchnic collateral vein. In only 1 patient was the graft performed using the donor portal vein-donor iliac vein-recipient superior mesenteric vein. None of the patients displayed PVT in the immediate postoperative period. Actuarial survivals at the years 1, 3, and 5 were 85%, 74%, and 63%, respectively. We concluded that PVT cannot be considered to be a contraindication for liver transplantation.     

Favorable resolution of hepatic infarctions in transplanted liver after portal vein thrombosis treated by surgical thrombectomy: a case report

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is a life-threatening complication associated with a high rate of graft loss and patient death, with reported incidence of 1% to 2% in adults. We report a case of an early PVT after OLT complicated by hepatic infarctions in the liver graft. After surgical thrombectomy and restoration of the portal inflow, hepatic infarctions resolved spontaneously within 6 months, which was confirmed by computed tomography.     

Eversion Thrombectomy for Portal Vein Thrombosis During Liver Transplantation

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) has been seen as an obstacle to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), but recent data suggest that favorable results may be achieved in this group of patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence, management, and survival of patients with PVT undergoing primary OLT with thrombectomy. Between October 1990 and August 2000, 468 liver transplantations were performed in our center and portal vein thrombosis was present in 38 patients (8.1%). Preoperative diagnosis, extension, intraoperative management, postoperative recurrence of portal vein thrombosis, and 1-year actuarial survival rates were retrospectively studied. Preoperative diagnosis was made in 17 cases (44.7%). In all patients, portal flow was restored after portal vein thrombectomy, followed by usual end-to-end portal anastomosis. All patients received preventive low-weight heparin from day 2 to hospital discharge, and then aspirin. Rethrombosis was observed in one patient with extended splanchnic thrombus. The 1-year actuarial patient survival rate was 83.7%, and did not significantly differ from the patients without portal vein thrombosis (86.7%). Our results suggest that portal vein thrombosis is often partial and thus difficult to diagnose preoperatively: it can be managed successfully during surgery by thrombectomy, except when there is complete splanchnic veins thrombosis; and it did not affect 1-year survival.     

Portal revascularization in the setting of cavernous transformation through a paracholedocal vein: a case report

Diffuse thrombosis of the entire portal system (PVT) and cavernomatous transformation of the portal vein (CTPV) represents a demanding challenge in liver transplantation. We present the case of a patient with nodular regenerative hyperplasia and recurrent episodes of type B hepatic encephalopathy concomitant with PVT as well as CTPV, successfully treated with orthotopic liver transplantation. The portal inflow to the graft was carried out through the confluence of 2 thin paracholedochal varicose veins, obtaining good early graft function and recovery of the encephalopatic episodes. This alternative should be kept in mind as an option to assure hepatopetal splanchnic flow in those cases of diffuse thrombosis and cavernomatous transformation of portal vein.     

Successful Living Donor Liver Transplantation in Portomesenteric Thrombosis

Chronic portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is often considered a relative contraindication for living donor liver transplantation due to the risks involved and higher morbidity. In this report, we describe a surgical strategy for living donor liver transplant in patient with complete PVT using venovenous bypass from the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) and then using a jump graft from the IMV for portal inflow into the graft. IMV is a potential source for portal inflow in orthotopic liver transplant.     

Single center experience of 39 patients with preoperative portal vein thrombosis among 404 adult living donor liver transplantations.

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) involves technical difficulty. The aim of this research was to analyze their preoperative diagnosis of PVT, operative procedures, and postoperative courses of patients with preoperative PVT. Thirty-nine patients of 404 adult patients (9.7%) undergoing LDLT in our hospital from 1996 June to 2004 December had PVT at their transplantation. Twenty-nine patients had intractable ascites, 21 had gastrointestinal bleeding, and 18 had encephalopathy. The thrombus was located in the portal trunk in 23, in the portal trunk and superior mesenteric vein (SMV) in 7, and developed into the SMV and the splenic vein in 8. The occlusive grade was partial in 29, and complete in 10 patients. The thrombus was removed by a simple technique, and eversion and/or incision technique, or total removal of the portal vein (PV). The PV was reconstructed with the thrombectomized native PV, with an interposed vein graft, or porto-caval hemitransposition. Advanced PVT had a significant impact on blood loss and hospital mortality. Three out of 10 patients with residual PVT required radiological and/or surgical intervention after transplantation. In conclusion, thorough planning is essential for a successful LDLT outcome for patients with preexisting PVT.     

门静脉血栓形成对肝移植手术相关参数的影响

目的 探讨术前合并门静脉血栓(PVT)对原位肝移植(OLT)受者手术和术后相关参数的影响.方法 回顾性分析2002年2月至2007年2月武警总医院836例成人OLT病人中71例术前合并门静脉血栓(PVT组)和765例无门静脉血栓(对照组)病人的临床资料.比较两组手术时间、无肝期时间、输血量等手术参数以及ICU时间、住院时间、PVT复发、移植物功能、门静脉血流量、围手术期病死率和1、3、5年生存率等术后参数.结果 PVT组手术时间(min)和无肝期时间(min)明显长于对照组(分别为792.47±162.29和516.18±186.30,P<0.01;77.53±24.76和48.55±31.20;P<0.05).两组间术中输血量、平均ICU时间、住院时间没有显著差异(P>0.05).PVT组术后再栓塞率显著高于对照组(分别为9.86%和1.44%,P<0.01).除90 d时PVT组门静脉血流(PVF,cm/s)较高(41.43±17.19和19.85±11.39,P<0.05)外,两组间各随访时段移植物功能和PVF没有显著性差异.PVT组围手术期病死率略高于对照组而1、3、5年生存率稍低于对照组,但是差异均没有显著性.结论 术前PVT可能会增加肝移植手术复杂程度,但并不影响肝移植效果.     

Long‐term outcomes of transmesenteric portal vein recanalization for the treatment of chronic portal vein thrombosis after pediatric liver transplantation

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) may occur at any time following liver transplantation. We describe our experience with portal vein recanalization in cases of thrombosis after liver transplantation. Twenty‐eight children (5%) out of 566 liver transplant recipients underwent portal vein recanalization using a transmesenteric approach. All children received left hepatic segments, developed PVT, and had symptoms or signs of portal hypertension. Portal vein recanalization was performed via the transmesenteric route in all cases. Twenty‐two (78.6%) patients underwent successful recanalization and stent placement. They received oral anticoagulants after the procedure, and clinical symptoms subsided. Symptoms recurred due to portal vein restenosis/thrombosis in seven patients. On an intention‐to‐treat basis, the success rate of the proposed treatment was 60.7%. Only 17 out of 28 children with posttransplant chronic PVT retained stent patency (primary + assisted) at the end of the study period. In cases of portal vein obstruction, the transmesenteric approach via minilaparotomy is technically feasible with good clinical and hemodynamic results. It is an alternative procedure to reestablish the portal flow to the liver graft that can be performed in selected cases and a therapeutic addition to other treatment strategies currently used to treat chronic PVT.     

终末期肝病合并门静脉血栓患者的肝移植术(附四例报告)

目的 探讨终末期肝病合并门静脉血栓(PVT)患者的肝移植术。方法 对准备肝移植的受者常规应用CT和彩色多普勒检查，发现共有4例受者伴有PVT。此4例受者进行了原位肝移植术和门静脉血栓摘除治疗。术中对残留有附壁血栓的1例受者，在肠系膜上静脉分支处插入一带有肝素帽的导管，术后用于注入尿激酶进行溶栓治疗。术后所有受者均应用了低分子肝素、华法令和前列腺素E1等抗凝治疗。结果 术中一次性取尽血栓3例；1例受者PVT延及脾静脉人口和门脉左右支，术后门静脉残留有血栓，经溶栓和抗凝治疗，术后28d血栓消失。有3例受者在术后2个月内痊愈出院，随访至今情况良好；1例受者因胸腔穿刺并发出血，后发生多房性积液和肺部感染，于术后48d死亡。结论(1)PVT不是肝移植的绝对禁忌证；(2)外科摘除血栓、溶栓和抗凝治疗能对PVT进行根治；(3)出血是肝移植门静脉血栓治疗后的主要并发症，要加强预防和治疗。     

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目的　探讨肝移植围手术期门静脉血栓的处理。方法　回顾性分析 2 0 0 3年 10月至 2 0 0 4年 6月 14 0例原位肝移植病人的临床资料。结果　通过彩色多普勒、螺旋CT加三维血管成像和间接门脉造影共确诊肝移植术前门静脉血栓 5例。其中螺旋CT加三维血管成像 (CTA)对门静脉血栓的诊断特异性为 10 0 % ,彩色多普勒的诊断特异性为 80 % ,间接门脉造影的诊断特异性为 2 0 %。肝移植术中采用门静脉血栓切除术治疗成功率为10 0 %。结论　肝移植术中门静脉血栓切除术是治疗门静脉血栓的有效方法。CTA检查能准确判断门静脉血栓的程度。肝移植术后预防性抗凝能有效预防门静脉血栓复发。     

Liver transplantation in the presence of portal vein thrombosis: report from a single center

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a frequent finding in liver transplantation, the management of which depends mainly on its extent. In cases of mild to moderate PVT, a low dissection of the portal trunk, a jump graft, or direct implantation of graft portal vein into large venous collaterals or thrombectomy offer alternatives. For severe PVT anecdotal reports suggest that cavoportal hemitransposition, portal arterialization, or combined liver and intestine transplantation may be attempted, although the results to date are not satisfactory. When extensive perivenous and venous inflammatory changes reach the infrapancreatic region, liver transplantation probably should not be performed due to the high mortality rate.     

Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging for preoperative detection of portal vein thrombosis in liver transplant candidates.

The detection of main portal vein thrombosis (PVT) on preoperative imaging of liver transplant candidates has important technical implications for the transplantation procedure. Data are scarce regarding the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at detecting PVT. The aim of our study was to compare preoperative findings of the portal vein on MRI to operative findings at liver transplantation. Abdominal MRI and clinical records of 172 consecutive patients who received liver transplants between January 1999 and September 2004 were reviewed. Two radiologists independently evaluated the last abdominal magnetic resonance examinations obtained before liver transplantation, blinded to the original reading, operative findings, and clinical data. Findings on MRI were compared with intraoperative findings at transplantation. Main PVT was detected in 12 patients, in whom 8 were found to have thrombus at surgery, with 6 requiring a jump graft or thrombectomy. Sensitivity and specificity of MRI for detecting main PVT were 100% and 98%, respectively. The cause of discordance between findings on MRI and at transplantation in 2 cases was a diminutive caliber of the main portal vein that was interpreted as recanalized chronic thrombosis on MRI. In conclusion, in our study group MRI detected PVT in all liver transplant recipients requiring jump grafts at transplantation. The major reason for a false-positive MRI was a diminutive but patent portal vein.     

Portal Vein Stent Placement in Living-donor Liver Transplantation: A Single-center Experience

IntroductionPortal vein thrombosis (PVT) and portal vein stenosis (PVS) are rare complications after liver transplantation that can lead to graft failure and patient death.Material and methodsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of interventional treatment for PVT and PVS occlusion after liver transplantation. Follow-up data of 7 patients who underwent stent replacement for PVT and/or PVS were analyzed. The clinical success, complications, and portal vein patency were analyzed.ResultsClinical success was obtained in 6 of the 7 patients. No portal hypertension-related symptoms reoccurred in the 6 patients during the follow-up.ConclusionsInterventional radiologic treatment produced a high success rate and a favorable long-term outcome.     

Portal vein thrombosis in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation: intraoperative endovascular radiological procedures

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of endovascular procedures for portal vein complications during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 1994 and November 2004, we performed 504 OLTs in 464 adults. Seventy-eight patients (16.8%) presented with portal vein thrombosis (PVT). This analysis of patients from May 2000 to September 2004 included 10 patients with PVT, who were treated with endovascular techniques due to low portal flow. We compared this group with patients who were treated surgically with attention to rethrombosis and survival rates. If portal vein problems were due to obstruction, a venoplasty and primary stent placement were performed. We also embolized with coils or surgically ligated remaining competitive portosystemic shunts. RESULTS: Perfusion problems in the allograft were solved in all cases. We placed seven stents and embolized six competitive shunts. One anastomotic dysfunction was repaired. None of the patients died or rethrombosed during surgery or follow-up. CONCLUSION: Endovascular techniques during OLT can resolve some liver graft perfusion problems due to PVT and "steal" phenomena, especially with unsatisfactory eversion thromboendovenectomy in patients with grade IV PVT. Although primary permeability of stents has been good, these results need to be confirmed.     

Rex shunt for acute portal vein thrombosis after pediatric liver transplantation in children with biliary atresia

Background/Purpose

Posttransplantation portal vein thrombosis (PVT) can have severe health consequences, and portal hypertension and other consequences of the long-term privation of portal inflow to the graft may be hazardous, especially in young children. The Rex shunt has been used successfully to treat PVT patients since 1998. In 2007, we started to perform this surgery in patients with idiopathic PVT and late posttransplantation PVT. Herein we have reported our experience with this technique in acute posttransplantation PVT.

Methods

Three patients of ages 12, 15, and 18 months underwent cadaveric (n = 1) or living donor (n = 2) orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). All patients had biliary atresia with portal vein hypoplasia; they developed acute PVT on the first postoperative day. They underwent a mesenteric-portal surgical shunt (Rex shunt) using a left internal jugular vein autograft (n = 2) or cadaveric iliac vein graft (n = 1) on the first postoperative day.

Results

The 8-month follow-up has confirmed shunt patency by postoperative Doppler ultrasound. There have been no biliary complications to date.

Conclusions

The mesenteric-portal shunt (Rex shunt) using an autograft of the left internal jugular or a cadaveric vein graft should be considered for children with acute PVT after OLT. These children usually have small portal veins; reanastomosis is often unsuccessful. In addition, this technique has the advantage to avoid manipulation of the hepatic hilum and biliary anastomosis. Although this study was based on a limited experience, we concluded that this technique is feasible, with great benefits to and low risks for these patients.     

Portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis with variceal hemorrhage

Organized thrombus in the main trunk of the portal vein was encountered in 85 (6.5%) or 1300 patients with cirrhosis and variceal hemorrhage who underwent direct portacaval shunt (PCS). The thrombus was successfully removed with restoration of portal blood flow in all patients by phlebothrombectomy and balloon catheter extraction. Of the 85 patients, 65 were among 400 unselected patients who underwent emergency PCS (16%), and 20 were among 900 selected patients who underwent elective PCS (2%). All patients were closely followed for at least 5 years. Patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) had more advanced liver disease than those without PVT, reflected preoperatively in significantly higher (P<0.01) incidences of ascites (75%), severe muscle wasting (52%), varices of very large size (94%), the hyperdynamic state (94%), severe hypersplenism with a platelet count of less than 50,000/mm³ (92%), and placement in Child’s class C (52%). Side-to-side PCS reduced the portal vein-inferior vena cava pressure gradient to a mean of 23 mm saline solution in patients with PVT, similar to the marked pressure reduction obtained in patients without PVT.PCS promptly stopped variceal bleeding in all patients in the emergency PCS group. Permanent prevention of recurrent variceal bleeding was successful in 95% of patients with PVT and more than 99% of patients without PVT. Survival rates were similar in patients with and without PVT. In patients with PVT, survival rates at 30 days and 1,5, 10, and 15 years following emergency PCS were 69%, 66%, 65%, 55%, and 51%, respectively, and following elective PCS were 95%, 90%, 70%, 65%, and 60%, respectively. Quality of life was similar in patients with a without PVT, respectively, were the incidences of recurrent encephalopathy (9% vs. 8%), alcohol abstinence (61% vs. 64%), improved liver function (68% vs. 62% to 75%), and return to work (52% vs. 56% to 64%). It was concluded that in patients with cirrhosis and variceal hemorrhage it is almost always possible to remove portal vein thrombus by means of phlebothrombectomy and then perform a direct PCS with results similar to those achieved in the absence of PVT. Supported in part by grants from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. Presented at the Thirty-Seventh Annual Meeting of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, San Francisco, Calif. May 19–22, 1996.     

Outcome of modified portal vein anastomosis for recipients with portal vein thrombosis or stenosis before living donor liver transplantation

Background

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) or stenosis (PVS) often requires challenging techniques for reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

Materials and Methods

A total of 57 LDLTs were performed between October 1996 and December 2010. There were 16 cases (28%) with PVT/PVS that underwent modified portal vein anastomosis (m-PVa). The m-PVa techniques were classified into 3 groups: patch graft (Type-1), interposition graft (Type-2), and using huge shunt vessels (Type-3). The reconstruction patterns were evaluated with regard to age, graft vessels, PV flow, and complication rate.

Results

The m-PVas were Type-1 in 10 cases, Type-2 in 3 cases, and Type-3 in 3 cases. The vessel graft in Type-1 was the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) in 8 and the jugular vein in 2 cases, whereas the vessel graft in Type-2 was IMV in 2 and the saphenous vein in 1 case; in Type-3, the vessel grafts were renoportal, gonadal-portal, and coronary-portal anastomoses, respectively. The postoperative PV flow was sufficient in all types and slightly higher in Type-3. The postoperative complications occurred in 20% of the patients who underwent Type-1, in 33% who underwent Type-2, and in 0% who underwent Type-3.

Conclusion

The m-PVa was effective to overcome the surgical difficulty during transplantation. Pretransplant planning for the selection of the type of reconstruction is important for recipients with PVT/PVS.