In situ graft-trimming method using polyester vascular prosthesis for inferior vena cava reconstruction after hepatectomy

Hepatectomy for secondary liver cancer that has invaded the inferior vena cava (IVC) can be the only way to achieve long-term survival. We describe a method for hepatectomy combined with partial IVC resection without venous bypass circulation and an in situ graft-trimming method to avoid graft size mismatch after reconstruction. We carried out left hepatectomy extended to segment 1 with partial IVC resection first. During resection and reconstruction of the IVC, it was clamped below the right hepatic vein and above the inferior right hepatic vein to maintain systemic circulation. The graft was trimmed in situ, after a half running suture of the graft was finished to ensure the correct size. Preservation of both inferior right hepatic vein and right hepatic vein helps to maintain systemic circulation during reconstruction of the IVC. The in situ graft-trimming method is an easy and safe method to ensure the correct graft size after IVC reconstruction.     

Right hepatic lobectomy and removal of inferior vena caval tumor embolus in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma, using veno-venous bypass while preserving perfusion in the remnant liver: A case report

We describe a successful hepatectomy and the removal of a tumor embolus in a 43-year-old woman with hepatocellular carcinoma occupying the right lobe extending to the right branch of the portal vein and the inferior vena cava (IVC). Intraoperative echography revealed the tumor embolus in the IVC to originate from the main tumor via the right inferior hepatic vein, which extended cephalad from the confluence of the right hepatic vein to the IVC. Right hepatc lobectomy was performed via the anterior approach. Using femoro-axillary veno-venous bypass, we opened the IVC at the root of the inferior right hepatic vein to remove the tumor embolus after oblique clamping of the IVC between the right and middle hepatic veins was carried out to preserve perfusion in the remnant liver. Preserving perfusion in the remmant liver in radical hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor embolism in the IVC appears to be a safe and advantageous technique in patients with poor liver reserve.     

A suitable animal model for laparoscopic hepatic resection training

Background There is a growing interest in using laparoscopy for hepatic resection. However, structured training is lacking in part because of the lack of an ideal animal training model. We sought to identify an animal model whose liver anatomy significantly resembled that of the human liver and to assess the feasibility of learning laparoscopic hepatic inflow and outflow dissection and parenchyma transection on this model. Methods The inflow and outflow structures of the sheep liver were demonstrated via surgical dissection and contrast studies. Laparoscopic left major hepatic resections were performed. Results The portal hepatis of all 12 sheep (8 for anatomic study and 4 for laparoscopic hepatic resection) resembled that of human livers. The portal vein (PV) was located posteriorly; the common hepatic artery (CHA) and the common bile duct (CBD) were located anterior medially and anterior laterally with respect to the portal hepatis. The main PV bifurcated into a short right and a long left PV. The extrahepatic right PV then bifurcated into right posterior and anterior sectoral PV. The CBD and CHA bifurcated into left and right systems. The cystic duct originated from the right hepatic duct. The cystic artery originated from the right HA in 11/12 animals. The left hepatic vein drained directly into the inferior vena cava (IVC). The middle and the right hepatic veins formed a short common channel before entering the IVC. Multiple venous tributaries drained directly into IVC. Familiarity with sheep liver anatomy allowed laparoscopic left hepatic lobe (left medial and lateral segments) resection to be performed with accuracy and preservation of the middle hepatic vein. Conclusions The surgical anatomy of sheep liver resembled that of human liver. Laparoscopic major hepatic resection can be performed with accuracy using this information. Sheep is therefore an ideal animal model for advanced surgical training in laparoscopic hepatic resection.     

肝后隧道手术高危区的解剖特点及临床应用研究

目的:探讨肝后隧道及手术高危区的解剖特点及临床应用价值。方法:解剖20具成人尸体肝脏标本,收集经前入路绕肝提拉法右半肝切除术27例患者的临床资料,分别统计汇入肝后下腔静脉和肝后隧道路径上肝短静脉总数。结果:解剖研究中发现,肝短静脉主要从左右两侧汇入肝后下腔静脉,且较多集中于中、下1/3段;在肝后隧道路径上,汇入肝后下腔静脉的肝短静脉主要集中在下1/3段前方,平均(2.90±1.07)支,上1/3段仅有1例出现1支肝短静脉,中1/3段20例中仅4例出现1支肝短静脉;肝右后下静脉多出现在肝后下腔静脉的中、下1/3段,出现率达85.0%(17/20)。临床手术中发现,在肝后隧道路径上,汇入肝后下腔静脉肝短静脉主要集中在下1/3段,平均(3.21±1.67)支,多数病例此区域上下距离约3～4 cm,同时此区域中肝右后下静脉出现率达85.2%(23/27);27例中仅1例有1支肝短静脉汇入中段肝后下腔静脉前方。结论:肝后隧道手术高危区位于肝后下腔静脉下段前方3～4 cm区域,有较多肝短静脉伴随肝右后下静脉汇入。准确把握此区域的解剖特点并进行解剖分离是成功建立肝后隧道的关键。     

Outflow block secondary to stenosis of the inferior vena cava following living-donor liver transplantation?

Although it is well known that outflow block is caused by stenosis or occlusion of hepatic vein anastomoses following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), there have been few reports on inferior vena cava (IVC) stenosis following LDLT. In this paper, we report two cases of IVC stenosis and hepatic vein outflow block following right hepatic LDLT in the absence of stenosis of any of the anastomoses. Both patients presented with liver dysfunction, an ascitic fluid volume of approximately 2000 mL, and congestion in their biopsy specimens, and venocavography demonstrated IVC stenosis with gradients of more than 10 mmHg in patients with a dominant inferior right hepatic vein (IRHV) anastomosis. After a Gianturco expandable metallic stent successfully implanted in the IVC, the patient's liver function recovered and the volume of ascitic fluid decreased. The pathogenesis of hepatic vein outflow block secondary to IVC stenosis following LDLT may involve the anastomosis with the IRHV, which is the dominant draining vein of the graft and larger than the RHV, caudal to the IVC stenosis and a significant IVC pressure gradient that results in increased IRHV pressure. In conclusion, it is important to include hepatic vein outflow block in the differential diagnosis when patients who have undergone right hepatic LDLT in which anastomosis of the large IRHV has been performed develop manifestations of liver dysfunction.     

主肝静脉和肝短静脉的解剖学研究及其临床意义

目的:探讨主肝静脉和肝短静脉（SHVs）的数量、位置、分型、口径等参数。方法:取60具成人尸体标本, 测量肝左、中、右静脉的肝外长度、注入下腔静脉（IVC）管径;按其SHVs汇入下腔静脉左侧壁、前壁和右侧壁分为左、中、右3排，测量SHVs的数量、位置、口径及其与主肝静脉的关系。结果:肝左、中、右静脉开口于IVC肝后段上l/4段，其中肝左、中静脉共干者73.3%（44例），肝左、中、右静脉共开口者1.7%（1例），3支分别汇入者25.0%（15例），SHVs直径为1.5～17.8（5.4±1.4）mm,3～35支SHV从不同方向和节段注入下腔静脉。肝右静脉直径与SHVs直径呈负相关（r=-0.34，P＜0.05);肝左静脉直径与SHVs数目呈负相关（r=0.24， P＜0.05)。肝右后下静脉（IRHV）出现率为83.3%，平均直径为2.6～8.0（4.3±1.2）mm。结论:SHVs变异较大，管径粗者数量少。SHVs的口径、数目与主肝静脉口径、数目呈相互消长。肝右静脉直径愈大，SHVs直径愈小;反之SHVs直径愈大。肝左静脉直径愈大，SHVs数量愈少;反之SHVs数量愈多。     

下腔静脉隔膜阻塞型Budd-Chiari综合征血流数值模拟

目的:应用计算机仿真的方法研究Budd-Chiari综合征(BCS)下腔静脉隔膜生长过程中血管的血流动力学变化。方法:基于MRA图像建立下腔静脉隔膜阻塞型BCS血管模型,利用Ansys Fluent软件进行血流参数仿真。结果:成功建立下腔静脉隔膜阻塞型BCS血管模型。模型实验结果显示,在隔膜生长过程中,在下腔静脉及3支主干肝静脉汇合处与隔膜之间有一低速区,该区域面积随隔膜的增长而逐渐变大;随着隔膜的发展,下腔静脉及肝右静脉低剪切力的区域不断扩大,而切应力变大。结论:下腔静脉隔膜的发生发展是一个缓慢变化的过程,可能与下腔静脉壁面剪切力的变化密切相关。     

前入路联合肝下下腔静脉阻断切除右肝巨大肝细胞癌

目的探讨入前入路联合肝下下腔静脉阻断在右肝巨大肝细胞癌(10 cm)切除术中的安全性和有效性。方法回顾分析2012年1月至2017年4月间采用前入路联合肝下下腔静脉阻断治疗右肝巨大肝细胞癌的42例病人的临床资料。结果 42例患者平均下腔静脉阻断时间38.5分钟。肝下下腔静脉阻断后中心静脉压对比阻断前明显降低(4.1±2.1cm H_2Ovs.7.3±2.5cm H_2O,P0.05),术中平均出血量为430.6±260.7 ml。输血率、术后并发症和死亡率分别为26.1%、38.1%和0%。结论前入路联合肝下下腔静脉阻断治疗右肝巨大肝细胞癌有效、安全。     

Thrombectomy before hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma with a tumor thrombus extending to the inferior vena cava

Tumor thrombi of hepatocellular carcinoma occasionally invade into the inferior vena cava (IVC) through the hepatic vein. Once the tumor thrombus is dislodged, severe and lethal complications, such as pulmonary infarction, can develop. We successfully operated on a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient with a tumor thrombus extending to the IVC through the right hepatic vein. To avoid dislodging the thrombus during surgery, a thrombectomy using selective hepatic vascular exclusion was performed before a hepatic resection, which is the most dangerous procedure to dislodge the thrombus.     

Balloon control of the suprahepatic inferior vena cava: a novel technique for renal cell carcinoma tumor thrombus

Renal cell carcinoma has a tendency to extend via the renal vein into the inferior vena cava (IVC), and we describe a novel approach to this situation. A 64-year-old male presented with metastatic right renal cell carcinoma and tumor thrombus extending into the retrohepatic IVC. Preoperative imaging revealed a large hemangioma adjacent to the IVC, potentially complicating hepatic mobilization. Instead, we used a compliant balloon to occlude the suprahepatic IVC, securing the wire in the right hepatic vein. With the infrarenal IVC and left renal vein occluded, the thrombus was extracted via a right renal venotomy/partial cavotomy with minimal bleeding. Balloon occlusion of the suprahepatic IVC offers a safe alternative to surgical control of this vessel in difficult situations. In addition, it allows for nephrectomy through a conventional, small retroperitoneal incision rather than the extended exposure needed for the IVC. Hepatic vein positioning of the wire prevents thrombus manipulation during balloon placement.     

Beneficial effects of 3-dimensional visualization on hepatic vein reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation using right lobe graft.

BACKGROUND: Recently, virtual operation planning and navigation systems have been introduced in the field of neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery. We report here the beneficial effects of 3-dimensional (3D) visualization on hepatic venous reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using right lobe graft. METHODS: 3D-image reconstruction of the liver was rendered with 3-mm slices of helical computed tomography (CT) data using zioM900 (Zio Software Inc., Tokyo, Japan). To understand the anatomy of the donor's vessels and design an operation plan, a picture of the vessels in and around the liver was reconstructed. RESULTS: The 3D image demonstrated two short hepatic veins next to the inferior right hepatic vein (IRHV) as well as a large IRHV. The 3D image showed a more precise diameter of the right hepatic vein (RHV) and the IRHV and a more accurate distance between the two hepatic veins than did images measured by 2-dimensional CT. This preoperative information allowed the donor surgeon to dissect the inferior vena cava (IVC) and hepatic veins with reduced blood loss because of reduced risk of injury to the blood vessels. The 3D image revealed that both the RHV and the IRHV branched off at the same angle from the cylindrical IVC. Preoperative planning based on this information secured smooth anastomosis. CONCLUSIONS: 3D visualization is useful for hepatic venous reconstruction of the recipient as well as for donor surgery in LDLT using right lobe graft.     

New Left Lobe Transplantation Procedure with Caval Reconstruction Using an Inverted Composite Graft for Chronic Budd-Chiari Syndrome in Living-Donor Liver Transplantation—A Case Report

When the Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) lesion extends to the inferior vena cava (IVC) or the orifices of the hepatic vein, the thickened IVC and/or hepatic vein wall must be removed and IVC reconstruction is required in living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). In various reports about IVC resection in LDLT for BCS, there are none about left lobe liver transplantation with reconstruction of the retrohepatic IVC (rhIVC). To overcome removal and reconstruction of the rhIVC in LDLT for BCS, we introduced a composite IVC graft that is applicable to both right and left lobe partial liver grafts for LDLT for BCS. Pathogenic IVC was removed together with the native liver between the lower edge of the right atrium and 5 cm above the renal vein junction with the use of venovenous bypass. The e-polytetrafluoroethylene graft was anastomosed to the suprarenal intact IVC. Then the native part was detached at the level of just above the renal junction. The composite graft was inverted and a half rim of the native part of the graft was anastomosed to the posterior wall of the right atrium. Next, the common venous orifice of the left lobe graft was anastomosed to the wall defect which was composed of the anterior wall of the right atrium and the distal end of the native part of the composite graft. In conclusion, our inverted composite graft technique will overcome the weak points of LDLT for BCS, such as incomplete removal of the pathogenic caval wall and reconstruction of the rhIVC.     

Treatment of inferior vena cava obstruction producing Budd-Chiari syndrome

We treated a patient who had an inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction associated with Budd-Chiari syndrome. All of the right, middle, and left hepatic veins were completely obstructed. The IVC was obstructed by a membranous substance and thrombus at the hepatic portion and was completely occluded by a fibrous septum at the site of a suprahepatic coarctation. A cavotomy was performed transversely at the suprahepatic level and then longitudinally to the level just above the renal veins, and the obstructing tissue was removed. An additional vertical incision was made in the IVC over the coarctation, and an autologous pericardial patch was sutured in place to widen the IVC. The patient was discharged with the patency of the IVC restored.     

幼猪辅助性部分肝移植供肝体外解剖学观察及其修整分割

目的体外观察幼猪供肝的解剖学特点,总结辅助性部分肝移植供肝修整分割经验。方法16头幼猪供肝灌洗取出后于体外进行解剖学观察,借用探针条探查肝动脉和胆管,用刮扒水洗法切除左半肝,断面管道仔细结扎,余下右半肝作为供肝。结果幼猪肝脏质地脆嫩,分为左外侧叶、左中叶、右中叶、右外侧叶和尾状叶等5叶。其各部分体积、质量与其体质量呈正相关。肝中裂较浅,但其间少有门静脉交通支存在。肝固有动脉可有变异。肝静脉均于肝内汇入下腔静脉,左半肝回流静脉多有共干（14/16）。肝上、肝下下腔静脉均短,肝内下腔静脉下段肝实质较薄。16例供肝修整分割均顺利完成,断面管道显露清晰,复流后充盈良好,肝断面出血少。结论根据幼猪体重可估计其肝脏各部体积和质量;刮扒水洗法行供肝体外分割简便实用;获得的右半肝作为供肝,其肝上下腔静脉易于与受体肝内下腔静脉端侧吻合。     

下腔静脉与肝静脉的外科应用解剖

在３２例成人尸体上进行腔静脉与肝静脉的应用解剖学的研究，观测了右肾上腺静脉、左膈下静脉、主肝静脉的长度、横径、注入角度和部位及主肝静脉的汇合类型和下腔静脉各段长度。结果表明，术中阻断肝上膈下下腔静脉，有８４．４％的人可经腹部切口完成，另１５．６％者可能需开胸在心包内阻断下腔静脉，下腔静脉下阻断，有８７．５％可在网膜孔后分离阻断，１２．５％需行下腔静脉肝后段分离阻断。在游离肝右叶时，需注意可能出现的     

Two-step selective clamping of IVC for removal of hepatocellular carcinoma with intracaval extension

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with retrohepatic intracaval extensions are difficult to treat. HCC may sometimes extend into the inferior vena cava (IVC) through two routes: via the right hepatic vein and via the inferior right hepatic vein. In such cases, in which tumor emboli are located both above and below the confluence of the hepatic vein with the IVC, we first remove the upper embolus during THVE, and then remove the lower one while the IVC is clamped obliquely in order to preserve the residual liver circulation.     

Budd-Chiari syndrome treated by Senning's procedure

Two patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome who underwent a new surgical procedure developed by Senning are reported. A 33-year-old man was diagnosed as having Budd-Chiari syndrome with a membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and right hepatic vein and short segmental obstruction of the left hepatic vein. Removal of the obstruction by dorsocranial resection of the liver and reconstruction of the veins by hepatoatrial anastomosis was carried out. In a 53-year-old female, the same procedure was carried out for a short segmental obstruction of the IVC and left hepatic vein. In both patients, postoperative examination revealed good patency of the IVC and the hepatic veins and increased portal venous flow as measured by Doppler-echography. This procedure is considered the method of choice for Budd-Chiari syndrome with membranous and/or short segmental obstruction of the IVC and hepatic veins.     

Liver transplantation in a patient with complex anomaly of the inferior vena cava

Background

After the introduction of noninvasive imaging exams, congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava (IVC) have become more commonly recognized. We report the first successful orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) performed in an asymptomatic adult with complex IVC anomaly: duplication of the infrarenal IVC, azygos continuation of the IVC, agenesia of the hepatic portion of the IVC and presence of several anomalous veins communicating the common iliac vein and the IVC of one side with the contralateral side.

Methods

This complex anomaly was diagnosed with a venous abdominal angio CT.

Results

At liver transplantation, the short suprahepatic portion of the IVC was identified and clamped. The right, middle, and left hepatic veins were sectioned and joined in a single, wide cuff, using venoplasty. This single orifice was anastomosed to the suprahepatic IVC of the new liver. No venovenous bypass was employed. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. A post transplantation venous abdominal angio CT showed normal blood flow at the anastomosis of the hepatic veins of the receptor and the IVC of the new liver.

Conclusions

This report is important to alert liver transplant teams of the possibility of complex IVC in asymptomatic adult individuals. Identification of these anatomical anomalies is vital to reduce the risk of serious hemorrhage and other operative complications during OLT.     

Successful Renal Transplantation in Small Children With a Completely Thrombosed Inferior Vena Cava

In small children with end‐stage renal disease, an adult‐sized kidney transplant is the best option. However, in the face of a completely thrombosed inferior vena cava (IVC), such transplants can be challenging, given the difficulty of achieving adequate renal venous outflow and the risk of graft thrombosis. Using a new technique to anastomose the renal vein to the right hepatic vein/IVC junction, we successfully implanted an adult‐sized graft in two small children (9.8 and 14 kg) who had end‐stage renal disease and a completely thrombosed IVC. After mobilizing the right lobe of the liver and obtaining total vascular occlusion of the liver, we used a Fogarty catheter to dilate the retrohepatic IVC. In the right hepatic vein, we made a venotomy and extended it inferiorly onto the retrohepatic IVC. To that venotomy, we anastomosed the donor left renal vein, using continuous 7‐0 Prolene sutures. Both patients attained excellent renal allograft function: One had a serum creatinine level of 0.30 mg/dL at 6 mo after transplant, and the other had a level of 0.29 mg/dL at 1 year. In these two small children with completely thrombosed IVC, our technique for transplanting an adult‐sized kidney provided adequate venous outflow.     

Hepatectomy with total vascular exclusion. Anatomical principles based on 64 dissections

Intra-operative hemorrhage is the main surgical risk during liver resections. Nowadays hepatectomies for large or posterior liver tumors close to the hepatocaval junction can benefit from total hepatic vascular exclusion (HVE) involving portal triad exclusion and clamping of the inferior vena cava (IVC) below and above the liver. Anatomical aspects of HVE have been studied in 64 subjects by segmental occlusive phlebographies of the IVC, injection of corrosive substances into the hepatocaval network, biometry of the retrohepatic IVC and serial sections of injected livers. A total HVE should exclude the right suprarenal and phrenic veins. Clamping of the suprahepatic IVC depends on the termination of the left inferior phrenic vein. Clamping of the subhepatic IVC must be retrohepatic: the right lobe of the liver has to be mobilized to free the right border of the retrohepatic IVC into which flows the right suprarenal vein 40 +/- 20 mm above the right renal vein and under the superior right hepatic vein. Both suprahepatic and retrohepatic clamps excluding the retrohepatic portion of the IVC (46.6 +/- 13 mm) and the hepatocaval junction should come in contact behind the IVC without overlapping.