成人间活体右半肝移植术中变异门静脉右支切取与重建技术

目的 探讨成人间活体右半肝移植术中变异门静脉支(APVB)切取与重建的技巧.方法 2002年1月至2007年4月,共实施70例成人间活体右半肝移植.术前肝脏血管三维CT成像显示供肝动脉及静脉走向,70例右半供肝中有9例门静脉分支变异,其中7例为Ⅱ型变异,2例为Ⅲ型变异.除1例供者行狭窄桥状连接单口切取APVB外,其余8例均采用供者优先的原则即距门静脉主干2～3mm处双口切断APVB.Ⅱ型变异中有2例双口切取其右前、右后支成形为一个开口后与受者门静脉主干吻合,4例右前、右后支分别与受者门静脉左、右支吻合,1例行右前、右后支间狭窄桥状组织连接单口切取后与受者门静脉主干单口吻合.Ⅲ型变异中有1例双口切取其右前、右后支分别与受者门静脉支双口吻合,1例双口切取后行新型的U形血管移植物间置与受者门静脉主干单口吻合.结果 9例受者均无门静脉狭窄或血栓、肝动脉狭窄或血栓以及肝静脉流出道狭窄等血管并发症发生.1例供者术后3 d并发门静脉血栓,手术取栓及门静脉壁修补成形后痊愈.新型的U形血管移植物间置重建术后通畅,无并发症发生.结论 成人间活体右半肝移植术中采用供者优先的原则双口切取APVB、双口吻合重建以及新型的U形血管间置等门静脉重建技术是安全可行的,未增加手术难度,且临床效果良好.     

Anatomical variations of donor portal vein in right lobe living donor liver transplantation: the safe use of variant portal veins

In right lobe (RL) living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), portal vein (PV) variations are of immense clinical significance. In this study, we describe in detail our PV reconstruction techniques in RL grafts with variant PV anatomy and evaluate the impact of accompanying biliary variations on the recipient outcomes. In a total of 386 RL LDLTs performed between July 2004 and July 2012, the clinical data on 52 (13%) transplants using RL grafts with variant PV anatomy were retrospectively analyzed. Portal vein anatomy was classified as type 2 in 20 patients, type 3 in 24 patients, and type 4 in eight patients. The PV reconstruction techniques utilized included back‐wall plasty (n = 21), back‐wall plasty with saphenous vein graft interposition (n = 6), saphenous vein graft interposition (n = 5), cryopreserved iliac vein Y‐graft interposition (n = 6), and quiltplasty (n = 3). There was no donor mortality. In a median follow‐up of 29 months, none of the recipients had vascular complications. Anomalous PV anatomy was associated with a high (54%) incidence of biliary variations; however, these variations did not result in increased biliary complication rate. Overall, the 1‐ and 3‐year patient survival rates of recipients were 91% and 81%, respectively. Vascular and biliary variations in RL grafts render LDLT technically more challenging. By employing appropriate reconstruction techniques, it is possible to successfully use RL grafts with PV variations without endangering recipient and donor safety.     

Reconstruction of inferior right hepatic veins in living donor liver transplantation using right liver grafts

Because revascularization of the inferior right hepatic vein (IRHV) is a major component of right liver graft (RLG) reconstruction, we assessed the surgical techniques and clinical outcomes of IRHV reconstruction so that we could formulate practical guidelines for standardized procedures. From July 2004 to February 2010, we performed separate IRHV reconstructions in 487 of 1142 adult RLG recipients (42.7%). These recipients included 364 patients with a natural single IRHV and 123 patients with multiple IRHVs; in the latter group, the IRHVs were unified by venoplasty, which enabled a single anastomosis. The 1-year stenosis rates for the single-vein and venoplasty groups were 23% and 18.9%, respectively, and the early stent insertion rates were 7.1% and 9.8%, respectively (P = 0.09). Late IRHV occlusion did not lead to graft dysfunction, and all large major IRHVs were patent. A morphometric analysis showed that IRHV stenosis was associated with IRHV stretching and an anastomotic level discrepancy. This led to refinements of the surgical techniques: IRHV orifices were shaped into funnels, and the IRHV anastomosis was accurately placed at the recipient inferior vena cava (IVC). In an ongoing prospective study of 35 patients, our funneling unification venoplasty resulted in only 1 episode (2.9%) of early IRHV stenosis requiring stenting at a median follow-up of 8 months. The final configurations of the reconstructed IRHVs after funneling unification venoplasty and extensive IVC dissection were very similar to those of the native donor liver. In conclusion, we suggest that in combination with extensive recipient IVC dissection, funneling and unification venoplasty techniques are useful for securely reconstructing single or multiple IRHVs during the implantation of RLGs.     

Surgical procedures for management of right portal venous branching in right lobe living donor liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to describe the surgical management of right portal venous (PV) branches encountered among 104 cases of right lobe living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). METHODS: From January 2002 to September 2007, we performed 104 cases of right-lobe LDLT including 11-donors who had anomalous right portal venous branches (APVB). One recipient had PV sponginess hemangioma. The donor right PV branches were type I in 93 cases, type II (trifurcation) in nine cases, and type III in two cases. Except one narrow bridge of tissue excision, the PV branches were transected on the principal of donor priority: PV branches were excised approximately 2 to 3 mm from the confluence while leaving the donor's main portal vein and confluence intact. In type II APVB, donor PV branches were obtained with two separate openings in six cases; with two separate openings joined as a common orifice at the back table in two cases, with one common opening with a narrow bridge of tissue in one case. In type III APVB, the donor right anterior and posterior PV branches were obtained with separate openings. The donor right PV branches with one common opening in 92 cases of type I PV branches and a joined common orifice in three cases of type II APVB were anastomosed to the recipient's main portal vein or to right branching. As the unavailable recipient PV for sponginess hemangioma, one case of type I right PV branches was end-to-end anastomosed to one of the variceal lateral veins of about 1 cm diameter in a pediatric patient. The PV were reconstructed as double anastomoses in six type II APVB and in one type III APVB obtained with two separate PV openings. In the another type III APVB reconstruction, we successfully utilized a novel U-shaped vein graft interposition. RESULTS: The type II APVB donor receiving a narrow bridge of portal vein tissue excision developed portal vein thrombosis on the third postoperative day and underwent reexploration for thrombectomy. There were no vascular complications, such as portal vein thrombosis or stricture among other donors or all recipients. The velocity of blood flow in the U-graft was normal. The anastomosis between the type I donor right portal vein and recipient variceal lateral vein was unobstructed. CONCLUSION: Right PV branches should be excised on the principal of donor priority while leaving the donor's main portal vein and confluence intact. Single anastomoses was the fundamental procedure of right branch reconstruction. Double anastomoses could be used as the main management for type II and type III APVB reconstruction. U-graft interposition may be a potential procedure for type III APVB reconstruction. Single anastomoses between the donor right portal vein and the recipient variceal lateral vein may be performed when recipient portal vein is unavailable. These innovations for excision and reconstruction of right PV branches were feasible, safe, and had good outcomes.     

Donor and recipient outcomes in right lobe adult living donor liver transplantation

Severe donor organ shortage has provided the impetus for adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT). Despite rapid implementation and expansion of the procedure, outcome analysis of ALDLT is still incomplete. This study analyzed both donor and recipient outcomes after ALDLT at a single center. ALDLT performed at UCLA between August 1999 and November 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty recipients (14 men and 6 women) with a mean age of 48.8 ± 9.7 (29 to 66) years underwent right lobe ALDLT. By computed tomograpy (CT), graft/recipient weight ratio (GRWR) was 1.3 ± 0.3 (1 to 2.2). Overall 1-year patient and graft survival rates were 95% and 85%, respectively. One recipient died of heart failure with normal liver function 5 months after transplantation. Three grafts (14%) were lost and all three patients underwent successful cadaveric retransplantation. Complications were classified according to the Clavien grading system with all but 3 recipients encountering at least one complication. Nine (45%) had grade 1 (minor), 10 (50%) had grade 2 (potentially life threatening without residual disease/disability), 3 (14%) had grade 4A (retransplantation) and one grade 4B (death). Right lobectomy for living donation was performed in 20 patients (12 men, 8 women). Residual left lobe volumes were 36 ± 5.3 (23.9 to 47.9)% of total donor liver volume. No donor required intensive care unit admission and median hospital stay was 7.5 (6 to 14) days. One donor was aborted after intraoperative biopsy showed > 50% macrovesicular steatosis. No donor mortality or long-term complications were encountered. Five grade 1 minor complications, by Clavien Classification, occurred in 4 of 20 (20%) donors. ALDLT using right lobe grafts is an effective procedure to expand a severely depleted donor, but is associated with a high complication rate despite good survival outcomes. Continuous standardized reporting of ALDLT outcomes is required to allow successful and safe implementation of the procedure. (Liver Transpl 2002;8:901-909.)     

右叶活体肝移植的肝静脉应用解剖研究

目的 研究右叶活体肝移植的肝静脉应用解剖.方法 解剖观测133例成人肝静脉的分支数、最大径、长度、肝外长度、汇合;肝中静脉相对于肝中裂的偏移程度等指标.结果 A型:粗大的肝右静脉和小的右副肝静脉,占59.4%,B型:中等大小的肝右静脉和中等大小的右副肝静脉,占27.8%,C型:小的肝右静脉和粗大的右副肝静脉,占12.8%.肝左静脉与肝右肝静脉共干,占60.3%,共干长度(1.12±0.61)cm,大小(1.29±0.40)cm.96.15%肝中静脉相对于肝中裂的向右偏移,偏移程度(14.11±12.65)°.结论 该组肝静脉的结果 提示中国人的肝静脉分型中各型所占的比例与国外文献报道明显不同;中国人可能更适合右叶活体肝移植.     

Safety of donor right hepatectomy for adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the usefulness of preoperative evaluations of donors by computed tomography (CT) volumetry and CT cholangiography for prevention of unexpected liver failure and biliary complications after donor right hepatectomy for adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation. Fifty-two donors who underwent right hepatectomy without the middle hepatic vein were enrolled in this study. The values of graft weight (GW) were significantly correlated with those of estimated graft volume (GV; P < 0.0001). GW was predicted by the following formula: GW = 155.25 + 0.658 x GV; r(2) = 0.489. CT cholangiography revealed anatomical variants of biliary structure in one-third of the donors and also clearly showed one or two small biliary branches from the caudate lobe to the right hepatic ducts or the confluence in 58% of the donors. Biliary leakage, which was treated by conservative therapy, occurred in only one donor (1.9%). No donors received homologous blood transfusion. Hyperbilirubinemia (serum total bilirubin >5 mg/dl) occurred in 5.8% of the donors during their early postoperative periods. Precise evaluations of liver remnant volume by CT volumetry and biliary variation by CT cholangiography are essential for performing safe donor hepatectomy, preventing hepatic insufficiency and minimizing the risk of biliary tract complications.     

Congestion of right liver graft in living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Left liver graft from a small donor will not meet the metabolic demands of a larger adult recipient. One solution to this problem is to use a right liver graft without a middle hepatic vein (MHV). However, the need for drainage from the MHV tributaries has not yet been described. METHODS: Five right liver grafts without a MHV were transplanted in patients including two hepatitis B virus-cirrhosis, two fulminant hepatic failure and one secondary biliary cirrhosis. The graft weight ranged from 650 to 1,000 g, corresponding to 48 to 83% of the standard liver volume of the recipients. RESULTS: Two of five recipients were complicated with severe congestion of the right median sector immediately after reperfusion, followed by prolonged massive ascites and severe liver dysfunction. One of the patients died of sepsis with progressive hepatic dysfunction 20 days after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Preservation and reconstruction of the MHV tributaries is recommended to prevent congestion of the right liver graft without MHV.     

Safety of right lobectomy in living donor liver transplantation

The goal of this study was to examine the safety and effectiveness of right lobectomy in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). From January 1999 to January 2002, 100 cases of LDLT were performed at Seoul National University Hospital; 45 involved right lobectomy (RL), 17 involved extended left lobectomy (ELL), 37 involved left lateral segmentectomy (LLS), and 1 involved right posterior segmentectomy. The outcome of RL was compared with those of other types of hepatectomy. An RL resulted in a longer operative time (minutes) than an LLS (349.0 ± 65.1 versus 286.7 ± 54.0, P < .01), but not an ELL (351.2 ± 84.3, P =.99). The hospital stay (days) in the RL group (14.4 ± 3.1) was longer than for those in the ELL group (11.7 ± 1.7, P < .01) and the LLS group (11.7 ± 1.9, P < .01). The drain amount (mL) of the postoperative third day in the RL group (194.4 ± 143.4) was larger than for those in the ELL group (56.8 ± 84.1, P < .01) and the LLS group (46.5 ± 39.6, P < .01). The postoperative peak serum level of total bilirubin (mg/dL) was 3.0 ± 1.5 in the RL group, 1.9 ± 0.7 in the ELL group, and 1.9 ± 0.9 in the LLS group (P < .01, RL versus LLS, ELL). There was no mortality or major morbidity and no reoperation of donors. Right lobectomy is a relatively safe and effective procedure in LDLT, but brings more potential risks and morbidity in donors. (Liver Transpl 2002;8:910-915.)     

One-step reconstruction of the right inferior hepatic veins using auto-venous grafts in living donor liver transplantation

Purposes

Reconstruction of the right inferior hepatic vein (RIHV) presents a major technical challenge in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using right lobe grafts.

Methods

We studied 47 right lobe LDLT grafts with RIHV revascularization, comparing one-step reconstruction, performed post-May 2007 (n = 16), with direct anastomosis, performed pre-May 2007 (n = 31).

Results

In the one-step reconstruction technique, the internal jugular vein (n = 6), explanted portal vein (n = 5), inferior vena cava (n = 3), and shunt vessels (n = 2) were used as venous patch grafts for unifying the right hepatic vein, RIHVs, and middle hepatic vein tributaries. By 6 months after LDLT, there was no case of occlusion of the reconstructed RIHVs in the one-step reconstruction group, but a cumulative occlusion rate of 18.2 % in the direct anastomosis group. One-step reconstruction required a longer cold ischemic time (182 ± 40 vs. 115 ± 63, p < 0.001) and these patients had higher alanine transaminase values (142 ± 79 vs. 96 ± 46 IU/L, p = 0.024) on postoperative day POD 7. However, the 6-month short-term graft survival rates were 100 % with one-step reconstruction and 83.9 % with direct anastomosis, respectively.

Conclusion

One-step reconstruction of the RIHVs using auto-venous grafts is an easy and feasible technique promoting successful right lobe LDLT.     

Meta-analysis and meta-regression of outcomes for adult living donor liver transplantation versus deceased donor liver transplantation

Prior single center or registry studies have shown that living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) decreases waitlist mortality and offers superior patient survival over deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). The aim of this study was to compare outcomes for adult LDLT and DDLT via systematic review. A meta-analysis was conducted to examine patient survival and graft survival, MELD, waiting time, technical complications, and postoperative infections. Out of 8600 abstracts, 19 international studies comparing adult LDLT and DDLT published between 1/2005 and 12/2017 were included. U.S. outcomes were analyzed using registry data. Overall, 4571 LDLT and 66,826 DDLT patients were examined. LDLT was associated with lower mortality at 1, 3, and 5 years posttransplant (5-year HR 0.87 [95% CI 0.81–0.93], p < .0001), similar graft survival, lower MELD at transplant (p < .04), shorter waiting time (p < .0001), and lower risk of rejection (p = .02), with a higher risk of biliary complications (OR 2.14, p < .0001). No differences were observed in rates of hepatic artery thrombosis. In meta-regression analysis, MELD difference was significantly associated with posttransplant survival (R² 0.56, p = .02). In conclusion, LDLT is associated with improved patient survival, less waiting time, and lower MELD at LT, despite posing a higher risk of biliary complications that did not affect survival posttransplant.     

Vein reconstruction in modified right liver graft for living donor liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To report the authors' experience with hepatic vein reconstruction and plasty in living donor liver transplantation for adult patients. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: A right liver graft without the middle hepatic vein (MHV) trunk (modified right liver graft) can cause severe congestion of the right paramedian sector. However, the need for MHV reconstruction has not been fully recognized. METHODS: From June 2000 to December 2001, 30 adult patients received a modified right liver graft. Major MHV tributaries were preserved and reconstructed under the authors' criteria. Plasty of recipient hepatic veins for a wide outflow orifice was performed when necessitated. The regeneration of paramedian and lateral sectors of the grafts was examined by computed tomography 1 and 3 months after the operation. RESULTS: MHV tributaries were reconstructed in 18 grafts. Plasty of recipient hepatic veins was performed in 15 patients. All patients survived the operation. The regeneration of paramedian and lateral sectors was equivalent. CONCLUSIONS: A modified right liver graft can provide satisfactory surgical results if hepatic vein reconstruction and plasty are performed using the present techniques.     

活体右肝移植时的肝静脉重建29例分析

目的 探讨成人活体右肝移植时肝静脉重建的方法.方法 2004年8月至2005年3月加拿大多伦多总医院移植中心行成人活体右肝移植术29例.移植肝的右肝静脉与患者肝静脉行端端吻合,或与患者的下腔静脉进行端侧吻合重建.当移植肝有右下肝静脉且直径大于5 mm时则与患者下腔静脉进行端侧吻合重建.移植肝的中肝静脉V8和V5分支直径大于5 mm时则采用静脉搭桥方式重建静脉回流;术中、术后用超声多普勒检测肝脏血流情况.移植3个月后CT检查移植肝的再生情况.结果 17例移植肝的右肝静脉与患者肝静脉直接进行端端吻合;12例移植肝的右肝静脉与患者的下腔静脉进行端侧吻合.10例移植肝的右下肝静脉与患者的下腔静脉进行端侧吻合.15例移植肝的中肝静脉V8和V5段主要分支采用了静脉搭桥重建.B超检查显示移植肝血流状况良好,CT检查移植肝再生均衡,肝功能正常.结论 我们的静脉重建方法简单易行,应用于成人活体右肝移植获得了满意的效果.     

Venous hemodynamics in living donor right lobe liver transplantation

We evaluated the influence of portal and hepatic venous hemodynamics on the immediate and 3-month postoperative function of living donor right lobe grafts. Portal velocity was measured prospectively by ultrasound in 14 consecutive donor/recipient pairs. Velocity was converted to flow with the Moriyasu formula. Measurements were taken in donors in the operating room and in recipients at 1 hour after reperfusion and 3 months after transplant. Recipient liver function tests were measured postoperatively. Prereperfusion and postreperfusion liver biopsies were evaluated and correlated with the hemodynamic and biochemical results. There were 11 male (78.6%) and 3 female donors (mean age, 38.9 ± 9.8 years) for 10 male (71.4%) and 4 female recipients (mean age, 49.3 ± 14 years). The mean graft/recipient weight ratio was 1.22 ± 0.3. The mean right portal vein pressure was 8 ± 1.8 mm Hg in donors versus 13 ± 4.7 mm Hg in recipients (P < .05). The mean peak flow velocity (Vmax) in the portal vein in donors was 47.6 ± 12.8 cm/sec (normal, 44 cm/sec). One hour after graft reperfusion in the recipient, the mean portal Vmax was significantly higher at 94.7 ± 28.4 cm/sec (P = .004), but by 3 months follow-up, mean portal Vmax had fallen to 58.8 ± 37.8 (P = .01). Recipient portal vein Vmax highly correlated with portal flow (r = 0.7, P = .01). Increased recipient total bilirubin on postoperative day 2 correlated highly with higher recipient portal flow one hour after transplant (r = 0.6; P = .03). Portal vein velocity/flow dramatically increases after reperfusion, returning to baseline about 3 months after transplant. Evaluation of hepatic and portal venous flow is a relatively easy skill to acquire. Intraoperative ultrasound may enable the surgeon to predict graft dysfunction and possibly, may be used to implement pre-emptive therapies. (Liver Transpl 2002;8:809-813.)     

活体右半肝供体的安全性

目的 探讨活体右半肝供体的安全性。方法 对2002年1月至2005年6月施行的13例活体右半肝移植中供体的资料进行回顾性研究。不阻断入肝血流,在肝中静脉右侧,用超声刀离断肝组织得到右半供肝。通过计算得到标准肝体积及残余左半肝的比例。结果 右半供肝切取术平均失血490ml,平均输血440ml。围手术期平均输入人血白蛋白85g。1例供体门静脉分为3支,2例供体右后与右前胆管汇入左肝管,1例左外与左内胆管先后与右肝管汇合成肝总管,术中处理恰当,门静脉左干血流及左肝管胆汁引流保持通畅。2例供肝轻度脂肪变。术后第1天肝功能均有不同程度损害,但术后1周恢复到接近正常水平。术后并发症包括1例腹腔内出血,2例切口脂肪液化和1例乳糜漏。所有供体恢复好并回到原工作岗位。结论 只要保证左半肝血管与胆管通畅,残余肝体积在30％以上及手术对残余肝无大的损伤,右半供肝切取是安全的。