Double Arterial Anastomosis in Liver Transplantation: Is Two Better than One?

Arterial revascularization during liver transplantation is normally achieved by anastomosing the graft hepatic artery to the largest artery available at the recipient pedicle—either the common hepatic artery (CHA) or an accessory right hepatic artery (RHA) originating from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). When a small caliber RHA is present, the artery is ligated and a single anastomosis with the CHA is performed. In the absence of a vascular reconstruction of the graft, the gastroduodenal artery is usually ligated as well. In this article, we describe a new type of arterial anastomosis in the case of a small accessory RHA and/or severe graft hepatic artery atherosclerosis that is commonly seen in elderly donors. To our knowledge, these are the first cases reported in the literature. This technique can be easily performed without increasing the arterial revascularization time or increasing the risk of complications associated with arteriosclerotic arteries. A 12-month follow-up revealed excellent function of the liver grafts.     

Correlation between graft arterial anatomy and biliary complications after liver transplantation

Knowledge of the arterial vascular anatomy of the liver is important for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) because the lack of an adequate arterial blood supply results in biliary and parenchymal complications or graft loss. A number of reports have shown a relationship between aberrations of graft arteries and an increased incidence of early or late complications. Recent studies suggest no differences unless multiple anastomoses are required. The aim of this study was to report the incidence of aberrant hepatic arterial anatomy and its impact on vascular and biliary complications. We retrospectively reviewed data of 90 OLT performed on 82 patients, including 4 who underwent retransplantation from March 2003 to March 2006. The means recipient age was 52.47 years and 49 were men. The main caval vein reconstruction technique was piggyback (n = 55; 61.2%). The biliary reconstruction was performed by an end-to-end choledocho-choledocho anastomosis in 83 cases (92.3%) with choledocho-jejunal anastomosis (Roux-in-Y) in 7 cases (7.7%). Aberrant arterial anatomy was noted in 20 liver grafts (22.2%), namely, accessory right hepatic artery (n = 6; 6.6%), accessory left (n = 10; 11%), both accessory right and left (n = 3; 3.3%), and hepatic common artery from mesenteric artery (n = 1; 1.1%). Among the transplantations of grafts with aberrant arterial anatomy, 2 cases (10%) developed hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and 4 (20%) biliary complications. The rate of HAT and biliary complications among grafts with normal arterial anatomy was 3 and 8 cases (4.2% and 11.42%), respectively. Despite a greater number of complications among OLT with aberrant arterial anatomy, the Fisher test showed no significant relationship between HAT or biliary complications and aberrant arterial anatomy.     

Hepatic artery reconstruction prior to orthotopic liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: This study examines the types of arterial reconstruction for grafts prepared for orthotopic transplantation procedures. METHODS: Between 1993 and February 2003, 200 organs were harvested for orthotopic liver transplantation. Arterial variations were found in 28 cases (14%), among which 16 cases (8%) required vascular reconstruction with 4 cases due to accidentally damaged during liver harvesting. RESULTS: Among the 200 organs harvested for liver transplantation, arterial variations requiring reconstruction were found in 12 cases (6%); these included: replacing an accessory left hepatic artery from the left gastric artery (9/1 reconstruction); replacing an accessory left hepatic artery from the upper mesenteric artery (2/1 reconstruction), and replacing an accessory right hepatic artery from the upper mesenteric artery (10/10 reconstructions). The splenic artery was typically used for anastomosis (seven cases, 58.3%) as well as the gastroduodenal artery (two cases, 16.7%) or the right gastric artery (one case, 8.3%). In the remaining two cases, a more complex technique was required. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction of graft vessels before an orthotopic liver transplantation procedure does not increase the risk of vascular complications.     

Impact of Hepatic Artery Variations and Reconstructions on the Outcome of Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Background

Donor variational arteries often require complex reconstruction.

Methods

We analysed the incidence of different variations, types of arterial reconstructions and their impact on post-operative results from 409 patients undergoing liver transplantation at Karolinska Institute between 2007 and 2015.

Results

A total of 292 (71.4%) liver grafts had a standard hepatic artery (SHA), and 117 (28.6%) showed hepatic artery variants (HAV). 58% of HAV needed reconstruction. The main variations were variant left hepatic artery (45.3%) from the gastric artery; variant right hepatic artery (38.5%); and a triple combination of variant right and left hepatic artery and the proper hepatic artery from the common hepatic artery (12.8%); other 3.4%. Patients/graft survival and arterial complications were not different between SHA and HAV. Incidence of biliary stricture was numerically higher in left hepatic artery variants (p = 0.058) and in variants where no arterial reconstruction was performed (p = 0.001). Operation and arterial warm ischaemia time were longer in the HAV group. The need for intraoperative re-reconstruction was higher in the HAV group (p = 0.04). Intraoperative bleeding was larger after back-table reconstruction than with intraoperative reconstruction (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

No overall differences were found between the HAV and the SHA groups. Occurrence of a variant left hepatic artery and HAV with no reconstruction seems to increase the risk of biliary strictures.

     

原位肝移植肝动脉并发症的预防和治疗

目的 总结分析原位肝移植肝动脉重建及其并发症的防治经验,提高肝移植疗效和受体存活率。方法 总结1995年5月至2005年4月实施的122例肝移植临床资料,肝动脉重建采用供者腹腔动脉干Carrell’s袖片或肝总动脉-脾动脉汇合部与受者肝左-右动脉汇合部袖片吻合21（16．76％）,与受者胃十二指肠-肝固有动脉汇合部吻合87例（71．76％）,采用髂动脉-腹主动脉搭桥14例（11．48％）。术后根据凝血酶原时间（PT）,应用普通肝素或低分子肝素预防性抗凝。术中、术后应用多普勒超声监测肝动脉血供。结果 术后肝动脉血栓形成（HAT）3例,肝动脉狭窄（HAS）2例。1例HAT于术后19d死于多器官功能衰竭,另4例通过放射介入治疗治愈。其余病例随访2～62个月,未见肝动脉血栓形成（HAT）和肝动脉狭窄（HAS）。本组肝动脉并发症发生率为4．10％。结论 正确地选择肝动脉重建吻合的部位和术后有效的抗凝治疗可减少HAT和HAS的发生,多普勒超声监测能早期发现HAT和HAS,挽救移植物,避免再移植。     

Anatomic variation of the right hepatic artery and its reconstruction for living donor liver transplantation using right lobe graft

We analyzed the anatomy and reconstruction of the right hepatic artery (RHA) in 96 cases of adult-to-adult living donor right liver transplantations, during 2002. Most right livers had a single orifice (n = 185, 96%). Seven right livers (4%) showed multiple arteries, namely a replaced artery in five cases and accessory arteries in two cases. Three liver grafts had two separate orifices: both arterial stumps were reconstructed in one case, and accessory arteries were ligated in two cases because of sufficient back bleeding. The mean diameter of the graft RHA was 2.4 mm (1-4). More than 60% (59 of 96) of graft arteries were anastomosed with distal branches of recipient RHA for size matching. Eleven graft arteries were anastomosed to vessels other than the RHA, namely the left hepatic artery [LHA] in eight right gastroepiploic artery in three: for size matching in five and due to previous injury of RHA in six. Five cases showed significant size-mismatches of more than twofold. The median follow-up period was 270 days. In one patient, an intramural thrombus developed on postoperative day 3 requiring a revision of the anastomosis. In another patient, arterial stenosis occurred on postoperative day 16 a time when collateral arteries had developed. The overall complication rate related to arterial reconstruction was 2%. In conclusion, with precise knowledge of the anatomy, an adequate selection of recipient arterial stump, and an experienced technique, a desirable result may be achieved in right lobe transplantation.     

Arterial conduits for hepatic artery revascularisation in adult liver transplantation

Arterial complications after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), including hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT), are important causes of early graft failure. The use of an arterial conduit is an accepted alternative to the utilisation of native recipient hepatic artery for specific indications. This study aims to determine the efficacy of arterial conduits and the outcome in OLT. We retrospectively reviewed 1,575 cadaveric adult OLTs and identified those in which an arterial conduit was used for hepatic revascularisation. Data on the primary disease, indication for using arterial conduit, type of vascular graft, operative technique and outcome were obtained. Thirty-six (2.3%) patients underwent OLT in which arterial conduits were used for hepatic artery (HA) revascularisation. Six of these were performed on the primary transplant, while the rest (n=30) were performed in patients undergoing re-transplantation, including six who had developed hepatic artery aneurysms. The incidence of arterial conduits was 0.4% (6/1,426 cases) in all primary OLTs and 20.1% (30/149 cases) in all re-transplants. Twenty-nine procedures utilised iliac artery grafts from the same donor as the liver, six used iliac artery grafts from a different donor, and a single patient underwent a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft. Two techniques were used: infra-renal aorto-hepatic artery conduit and interposition between the donor and recipient native HAs, or branches of the HAs. The 30-day mortality rate for operations using an arterial conduit was 30.6%. Three conduits thrombosed at 9, 25 and 155 months, respectively, but one liver graft survived without re-transplantation. The arterial conduits had 1- and 5-year patency rates of 88.5% and 80.8%. The 1- and 5-year patient survival rates were 66.7% and 44%. We can thus conclude that an arterial conduit is a viable alternative option for hepatic revascularisation in both primary and re-transplantation. Despite a lower patency rate than that of native HA in the primary OLT group, the outcomes of arterial conduit patency and patient survival rates are both acceptable at 1 and 5 years, especially in the much larger re-OLT group.     

原位肝移植肝动脉重建及其并发症防治

目的分析总结原位肝移植肝动脉重建及其并发症的处理经验。方法总结72例原位肝移植的临床资料，分析影响肝动脉重建的因素和处理技巧。结果72例原位肝移植患者术后仅有1例(1.4％)于肝动脉吻合口旁发生假性动脉瘤，经介入栓塞治疗成功，并保留了移植肝的动脉血液供应；全部病例随访3～43个月，住院期间死亡6例，随访期内死亡6例，总的1、3年累积存活率均为83.3％，没有病例死于肝动脉并发症。结论供、受者的血管变异情况和质量以及肝动脉重建技术，是影响肝动脉重建的关键因素。     

Hepatic Artery Anatomic Variations and Reconstruction in Liver Grafts Procured in Greece: The Effect on Hepatic Artery Thrombosis

Aims

Variations of the anatomy of donor hepatic arteries increase the number of arterial anastomoses during liver transplantation and, possibly, the incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT). In this study, we describe the arterial anatomic variations in liver grafts procured and transplanted by a single center in Greece, the techniques of arterial anastomosis, and their effect on the incidence of early HAT.

改良的套叠缝合重建肝动脉的大鼠原位肝移植模型

目的 介绍1种简便的套叠缝合重建肝动脉的大鼠原位肝移植模型。方法 采用套叠缝合重建肝动脉的大鼠原位肝移植模型20例。肝移植采用二袖套法，动脉重建利用供肝的肝总动脉与受体的肝固有动脉根部二针套叠缝合方法。结果 本方法建立大鼠原位肝移植模型的手术时间（包括供体手术）和重建动脉的时间明显缩短。大鼠30d存活率和肝动脉的通畅率均为100％。无胆道并发症发生。结论 套叠缝合重建肝动脉的大鼠原位肝移植模型简便、省时、成功率高，且对组织损伤小、更符合受体解剖生理。     

原位肝移植肝动脉重建临床分析

目的 总结分析原位肝移植肝动脉重建经验,提高肝移植疗效和受体存活率.方法 总结1995年5月至2006年12月实施的183例肝移植临床资料,常规动脉重建163例,供者腹腔动脉干Carrell's袖片或肝总动脉-脾动脉汇合部与受者肝左-右动脉汇合部吻合25例,胃十二指肠-肝固有动脉汇合部吻合134例,腹腔动脉干吻合4例.采用髂动脉.腹主动脉搭桥20例.术后根据凝血酶原时间(PT),应用普通肝素或低分子肝素抗凝.术中、术后应用多普勒超声监测肝动脉血供.结果 183例肝移植患者中有6例发生肝动脉并发症,发生率为3.28%(6/183),其中肝动脉血栓形成(hepatic artery thrombosis,HAT)5例,肝动脉狭窄(hepatic artery stenosis,HAS)1例.常规通路动脉重建组动脉并发症发生率1.84%(3/163),髂动脉-腹主动脉搭桥组为15.0%(3/20),两者比较差异有统计学意义(X2=9.73,P＜0.01).6例并发症患者中有1例HAT于术后19 d死于多器官功能衰竭,另5例通过介入治疗治愈,死亡率16.7%.结论 正确地选择肝动脉重建吻合的部位和术后有效的抗凝治疗减少HAT和HAS的发生,多普勒超声的早期发现和放射介入的及时治疗可以挽救移植物,避免再移植.     

肝移植供体切取中变异肝动脉的保护

目的 探讨在肝移植供体切取过程中如何避免损伤变异肝动脉。资料与方法 分析123例供肝切取资料，统计变异肝动脉发生率。结果 肝动脉解剖变异32例（26．02％），其中仅肝右动脉（RHA）变异11例（8．94％），仅肝左动脉（LHA）变异10例（8．13％），左右肝动脉均变异3例（2．44％），肝总动脉（CHA）起于肠系膜上动脉7例（5．69％），其它少见类型1例（0．81％），为肝固有动脉（PHA）来源于胃左动脉。结论 肝动脉解剖复杂，熟悉肝动脉解剖变异可减少供肝切取过程中的肝动脉损伤。     

Application of a new sleeve anastomosis technique to graft rearterialization in rat liver transplantation

A new rearterialized orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) model in the rat is described. The model involved performing a novel sleeve anastomosis technique for graft rearterialization which consisted of three extraluminal suture anastomoses between the recipient's proper and the donor's common hepatic artery. The total surgical time and in particular the time required to perform the arterial anastomosis was significantly reduced with the utilization of this technique. Hepatic artery patency was 100% and the 4-week survival rate was greater than 90%. Applying this novel sleeve anastomosis technique not only simplifies the rearterialized rat OLT but also ensures that blood flow to all vascular beds is undisturbed. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 17:472–476 1996     

改进成人间活体供肝移植的手术技术

目的研究并改进成人间活体供肝移植的手术技术。方法自2002年1月至2005年8月,施行了16例成人间活体右半供肝移植。手术中改进了技术,包括右肝静脉重建、肝中静脉分支搭桥、肝动脉搭桥及胆道吻合等。结果所有供者均无严重并发症及死亡。移植肝与受者重量比（GRWR）为0．72％～1．24％,其中9例〈1．0％,2例〈0．8％。手术除了采用移植肝的右肝静脉与受者下腔静脉（IVC）直接吻合外,5例加行右肝下静脉重建、5例取自体大隐静脉行肝中静脉分支与IVC间搭桥,保证了右肝流出道通畅。最早手术的2例受者中,1例发生肝静脉吻合口狭窄,另1例发生小肝综合征,最终导致死亡。后阶段手术的14例受者均未发生小肝综合征;发生并发症5例,分别为急性排斥反应、肝动脉栓塞、胆漏、左膈下脓肿及肺部感染;1例再次肝移植后因肺部感染,多器官功能衰竭（MOF）死亡。结论活体供肝移植中采用改进的手术技术,特别是肝静脉流出道重建的方法,可有效避免发生小肝综合征。     

原位肝移植肝动脉血栓形成的预防和治疗

目的 总结原位肝移植肝动脉重建及其并发症的防治经验，以提高肝移植疗效和受体存活率。方法 分析9年间实施的85例原位肝移植患者的临床资料。肝动脉重建采用供者腹腔动脉干Carrell’s袖片或肝总动脉-脾动脉汇合部与受者肝左-右动脉部吻合16例(18．82％)，与受者胃十二指肠-肝固有动脉汇合部吻合61例(71．76％)，采用髂动脉-腹主动脉搭桥8例(9．42％)。术后根据凝血酶原时间(PT)，使用普通肝素或低分子肝素预防性抗凝。术中、术后应用多普勒超声监测肝动脉血供。结果 1例术中发生肝动脉血栓形成(HAT)，立即行血栓切除，重新吻合动脉，现已随访13个月，肝动脉保持通畅。其余84例随访2～54个月，未见HAT发生。全组HAT发生率为1．2％。结论 正确选择肝动脉重建吻合的部位和术后有效的抗凝治疗可以减少HAT的发生；多普勒超声监测能早期发现HAT，挽救移植物，避免再移植。     

Diagnosis and treatment of hepatic artery stenosis after orthotopic liver transplantation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of Multidetector Computed Tomographic Angiography (MDCTA) to detect hepatic artery (HA) stenosis after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and the efficacy of treatment using percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive patients with OLT underwent MDCTA for evaluation of HA, followed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) (gold standard). Source images (Ax) were processed, obtaining multiplanar reformations (MPRs), maximum intensity projections (MIPs), and volume renderings (VRs). Images were evaluated to identify the following: (1) arterial depiction (celiac axis, anastomosis, and left [LHA] and right [RHA] HA), (2) detection of stenoses, and (3) grading of stenoses. Indications for PTA were set at MDCTA and DSA, and PTA was performed when appropriate. RESULTS: MDCTA depicted the celiac axis and anastomoses in all patients; LHA and RHA were visualized in 21 of 22 patients with Ax, MPRs, and MIPs, and in 17 of 22 with VRs. All reconstruction modalities enabled correct diagnosis of celiac (n = 3) and anastomotic stenoses (n = 14). Of 6 LHA and RHA stenoses, 4 (66.7%) were visualized with Ax, MPRs, and VRs, and 5 (83.3%) were visualized with MIPs. Stenosis was overestimated in 9 (39.1%) cases with VRs and in 3 (13%) with the other modalities. PTA was performed in 8 cases, with 1 case of arterial dissection requiring re-OLT. At a median follow-up of 28 months, the primary and secondary patency rates were 71.4% (5 of 7) and 85.7% (6 of 7), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MDCTA and accurate postprocessing enable confident depiction of the arterial anatomy and detection of stenosis after OLT. PTA is safe and allows allograft saving, at least until another suitable donor becomes available.     

Hepatic artery thrombosis in infants. A comparison of whole livers, reduced-size grafts, and grafts from living-related donors.

Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) is a major cause of patient morbidity and graft loss in pediatric liver transplantation (OLT). Although some grafts may be salvaged by arterial thrombectomy and reconstruction, many patients require retransplantation. Patient survival is reduced by HAT. It has been suggested that the incidence of HAT may be altered by the use of reduced-size grafts (RSG). We analyzed our series of infants receiving OLT to determine the frequency of HAT in full-size OLT, cadaveric RSG, and living-related RSG. The role of arterial anastomotic technique in the development of HAT was also examined. Between 10/1/84 and 12/7/90 433 liver transplants were performed. During this period 100 patients between 3 months and 2 years of age (mean 13 months) received 134 liver grafts. The mean weight at the time of transplant was 7.9 kg. (range: 1.9-15 kg). Of the 134 grafts, 60 were whole livers, 61 were cadaveric RSGs, and 13 were living-related RSGs. The cadaveric RSGs were 9 right lobe grafts, 21 left lobe grafts, and 31 left lateral segment grafts. Twenty-seven of the cadaveric RSGs were from split livers, while the other 34 were simple reductions. All 13 living-related RSGs were left lateral segments. HAT occurred in 15 of 60 (25%) whole livers, 9 of 61 (15%) cadaveric RSGs, and 3 of 13 (23%) of the living-related-donor RSGs (P = NS). Subdividing the cadaveric RSGs revealed that HAT occurred in 3 of 9 (33%) right lobe grafts, 3 of 21 (14%) left lobe grafts, and 3 of 31 (10%) left lateral segment grafts (P = NS). The site of the arterial anastomosis in the recipient correlated with the incidence of HAT (hepatic artery 21/86 [24%], celiac axis 1/9 [11%], aorta 2/32 [6%], P = 0.06). In conclusion, it appears that use of a cadaveric left lobe or left lateral segment graft and an aortic arterial anastomosis reduces the risk of hepatic artery thrombosis in liver transplant recipients less than 2 years of age.     

Median Arcuate Ligament in Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: Relevance to Arterial Reconstruction

Median arcuate ligament (MAL) syndrome results from luminal narrowing of the celiac artery by the insertion of the diaphragmatic muscle fibers or by fibrous bands of the celiac nervous plexus. In 10% to 50% of cases it is responsible for significant angiographic celiac trunk compression. In orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), the presence of celiac compression by MAL is considered to be a risk factor for hepatic arterial thrombosis (HAT); it may lead to graft loss. Various surgical procedures have been proposed to overcome the impact of MAL in OLT, but their impact is still ill defined. The aim of our study was to compare standard hepatic artery reconstruction and graft reconstruction (aortohepatic bypass) in terms of HAT among patients with MAL undergoing OLT. We retrospectively reviewed 168 adult recipients of OLT performed from January 1991 to December 1998. Ten cases (5.6%) of celiac compression by MAL were identified after celiomesenteric arteriography. There was no significant difference in terms of HAT incidence when aortohepatic bypass was performed compared to a standard anastomosis; moreover, this was greater in the graft reconstruction group (25% vs 17%; P = .67). In our opinion, the presence of an arcuate ligament should not contraindicate a routine hepatic artery reconstruction.     

原位肝移植术中肝动脉变异及术后肝动脉血栓形成的处理

目的探讨肝移植术中肝动脉变异及术后肝动脉血栓形成的处理。方法统计2000年8月至2002年12月期间进行肝移植术的67例次供、受者肝动脉的变异情况；分析肝动脉的重建方式，探讨肝动脉变异与手术后肝动脉血栓形成的关系、肝动脉血栓形成的危险因素及肝动脉血栓形成后的处理。结果67例次供者肝脏和65例受者肝脏共出现肝动脉变异12例次，发生频率最高的为右肝动脉起源于肠系膜上动脉(5例)及左肝动脉起源于胃左动脉(3例)。肝动脉的重建方式如下：供者及受者肝总动脉与胃十二指肠动脉分叉处成型后吻合58例；腹主动脉与肝动脉搭桥2例；利用变异的肝动脉分支吻合7例。手术后发生肝动脉血栓形成3例，均经腹股沟处股动脉插管行肝动脉溶栓治疗，此3例患者中死亡1例。结论避免变异的肝动脉损伤、选择适当的肝动脉吻合方式可以保证移植肝脏的动脉血供。肝动脉血栓形成与肝动脉变异无关。作为肝动脉血栓形成后的保守治疗方法，肝动脉内溶栓治疗有可能避免2次移植。     

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

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