Reconstruction of three right hepatic veins using cadaveric iliac vein in right lobe living donor liver transplantation: case report

In various right hepatic vein anatomies, reconstruction is a surgically challenging technique in right lobe living donor liver transplantation. The right inferior hepatic vein is the most common hepatic vein abnormality in right lobe living-donor liver transplantation. Three accessory right hepatic veins is a rare right hepatic vein variation. We experienced one case of three right hepatic vein reconstruction among 300 partial liver transplantations using the right lobe in our center over 10 years. The donor right lobe had one main right hepatic vein and three accessory hepatic veins at the lower border of the liver. Restoration of accessory hepatic veins to the inferior vena cava was performed after construction of one conduit from the three accessory hepatic veins using a cadaveric donor iliac vein.     

Balloon Venoplasty for Liver Failure Due to Stenosis of the Left Hepatic Vein After Right Tri-Segmentectomy

A 41-year-old male patient with hepatitis B underwent right tri-segmentectomy and total caudate lobectomy for a huge hepatocellular carcinoma associated with complete occlusion of the inferior vena cava with thrombosis of the infrahepatic inferior vena cava due to tumor compression. Five months later, he was readmitted for ascites and hyperbilirubinemia. Venography revealed stenosis and tortuosity of the left hepatic vein and the inferior vena cava, for which balloon angioplasty of the left hepatic vein and the inferior vena cava was performed using an 8-mm and 10-mm balloon, respectively. The left hepatic venous pressure decreased from 65 mmHg to 25 mmHg after dilatation. The patient made a satisfactory recovery thereafter and remains well with normal liver functions and without ascites. Balloon angioplasty may be useful for liver failure due to hepatic vein stenosis after hepatic resection.     

The caudate processus hepatic vein: a boundary hepatic vein between the caudate lobe and the right liver

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to find the boundary vein indicating the intersegmental plane between the caudate lobe and the adjacent liver segments. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Major hepatic veins of the human liver commonly run through the intersegmental plane and are widely used for the landmarks to define the boundary of both sides of liver segments. As the caudate lobe is a small independent unit of the liver separate from the right and left livers, the existence of the boundary hepatic vein to the adjacent liver segments has been expected. METHODS: Fifty-four adult cadaveric livers were minutely dissected to elucidate the correlation between the portal vein branches and the hepatic veins on both the caudate lobe and the adjacent liver segments. RESULTS: Among the hepatic veins of the caudate lobe, the caudate processus hepatic vein entering the inferior vena cava at hepatic hilum runs in the segmental plane between the caudate processus and the right liver. Three types of the caudate processus hepatic vein directly entering the inferior vena cava and 1 type of the exceptional hepatic vein that was the tributary of the right hepatic vein were observed. They drained the blood of the caudate processus and a part of the right liver, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The caudate processus hepatic vein is one of the candidates of the hepatic vein indicating the boundary between the caudate lobe and the adjacent liver segments. New procedures will be developed on the liver surgeries by acquiring the anatomic features of this vein.     

A case of surgical correction of the inferior vena cava obstruction with Budd-Chiari syndrome

A 37-year-old man is presented with Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with a membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava. Clinical symptoms were ascites, leg edema and dilatation of the superficial abdominal veins. Aggressive surgery was carried out for this case. Midsternal incision and right subcostal oblique incision were made, and hepatic segment of the inferior vena cava was reconstructed using pericardial patch after endovenectomy and partial cardiopulmonary bypass was used without temporary interruption of liver circulation. Blood flow from the right hepatic vein was restored. Postoperative course was not eventful and this patient remains free of any evidence of ascites and liver dysfunction after operation. This procedure may be useful particularly for protecting the liver function which is damaged by hemostasis.     

前入路绕肝悬吊解剖性肝右三叶切除术治疗巨大肝癌

前入路肝切除术是指先离断肝实质后游离肝脏的肝切除方法;绕肝悬吊是指在肝后下腔静脉前方放置悬吊带,供在切肝过程中提起肝脏.2011年10月中山大学孙逸仙纪念医院采用前入路、绕肝悬吊、解剖性肝右三叶切除术治疗1例54岁男性肝癌患者.肿瘤位于肝左内叶和右半肝,长径约16 cn.术前肿瘤分期为ⅢA期,T3N0M0;术前评估ICG R15为5.4％,肝左外叶肝脏体积占标准肝脏体积的44％;左肝管受压、轻度扩张.术中首先分离、切断入肝血流,包括肝右动脉、门静脉右支、肝中动脉、门静脉左内叶分支;然后在镰状韧带的右侧离断肝实质,期间在肝后下腔静脉前打隧道并悬吊肝脏;切断右肝管;接着分离、切断肝中静脉和肝右静脉;游离肝周韧带,移出肝右二叶;最后行左肝管、肝总管端端吻合.手术时间为4h,术中出血量为350 mL.患者术后康复顺利,术后4个月复查MRCP示胆管吻合口通畅,肝内未见肿瘤复发.     

成人间不含肝中静脉右半肝活体肝移植静脉流出道重建技术的改进

目的 探讨不含肝中静脉(middle hepatic vein,MHV)的成人间右半肝活体肝移植(living donor liver transplantation,LDLT)静脉流出道重建技术的改进方法.方法 通过长征医院器官移植研究所2007年6月至2008年1月完成的11例次成人间不含肝中静脉的右半肝活体肝移植病例的回顾性分析,对成人间不含肝中静脉的右半肝活体肝移植静脉流出道重建技术的改进进行总结.主要技术改进包括:采用供肝右肝静脉、受体腔静脉联合扩大成形吻合技术重建流出道;采用在4℃UW液中保存7 d以内的尸体同种异体静脉移植血管重建供肝Ⅴ、Ⅷ段肝静脉粗大属支以及右肝下静脉.结果 11例次成人间不含肝中静脉右半肝活体肝移植中10例次采用了右肝静脉、腔静脉联合扩大成形吻合技术;利用尸体同种异体静脉移植血管架桥重建肝Ⅴ、Ⅷ段肝静脉以及右肝下静脉流出道的例数占同期实施的成人间活体肝移植总例数的81.8%(9/11),其中架桥重建1支肝静脉7例,架桥重建2支肝静脉1例,架桥重建3支肝静脉1例,11例病人中,1例病人术后14 d死于肾功能衰竭和肺部感染,超声检查血流通畅,未发现架桥静脉血栓,余10例病人术后随访9～15个月,右肝静脉均通畅,未发现静脉血栓,架桥肝静脉累计通畅率为:1个月100%(11/11)、3个月72.7%(8/11)、6个月54.5%(6/11)和9个月36.5%(4/11),移植肝脏再生均衡,右肝端面Ⅴ或Ⅷ段无明显充血和肝萎缩坏死,肝功能正常.超声检查未发现血栓,血流通畅,移植肝脏再生均衡,右肝端面Ⅴ或Ⅷ段无明显充血和肝萎缩坏死,肝功能正常.结论 采用右肝静脉、腔静脉联合扩大成形吻合技术和在4℃UW液中保存7 d以内的尸体同种异体静脉移植血管重建肝Ⅴ、Ⅷ段肝静脉粗大属支以及右肝下静脉是一种简单、安全和有效的成人间不含肝中静脉右半肝活体肝移植肝静脉重建方法.     

Right liver adult-to-adult live donor liver transplantation in Hong Kong

The extension of live donor liver transplantation (LDLT) from children to adults went in parallel with the shift from using the left-liver graft to the right. Donor right hepatectomy, being a more major procedure, only intensifies the ethical controversy, which is central to LDLT. Since its debut in 1996, right-liver adult-to-adult LDLT has gone through a number of technical innovations and refinements based on constant review of outcomes and study of the relevant pathophysiology. To achieve unimpeded graft venous outflow, the middle hepatic vein was universally included and underwent venoplasty with the right hepatic vein before anastomosis with the recipient inferior vena cava. Donor safety was never compromised and was acquired by preservation of segment 4b hepatic vein in the remnant left lobe. Venovenous bypass, which was associated with adverse outcomes, is no longer used. Early restoration of the circulation through the inferior vena cava was made possible by release of the clamps to the latter before portal vein anastomosis. Through judicious use of the procedure, which was executed with a high degree of precision, using right-liver grafts more than 35% of the estimated liver mass, a 1-year recipient survival of more than 90% is achievable in our series.     

Severe outflow block syndrome caused by compression by the swollen caudate lobe after living donor liver transplantation: report of a case

A 50-year-old man with primary biliary cirrhosis underwent living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using a graft of a left hemiliver with a left caudate lobe and duct-to-duct hepaticocholedochostomy. Postoperative bile leakage necessitated percutaneous drainage 22 days after LDLT. The patient presented to our hospital 205 days after the LDLT with abdominal distension and fever. Computed tomography showed ascites and a diffusely mottled pattern in the graft. The caudate lobe was swollen, and its bile ducts were dilated. The inferior vena cava was forced to the right by the swollen caudate lobe, and the root of the hepatic vein was stretched. The hepatic vein was not contrasted. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed a biliary anastomotic stricture. Based on these findings, we diagnosed a severe outflow block of the hepatic vein and biliary anastomotic stricture. We performed balloon dilation of the biliary anastomosis and implanted a metallic stent in the hepatic vein. Thereafter, his clinical symptoms improved dramatically.     

门静脉-下腔静脉吻合术预防活体肝移植术后小肝综合征3例报道

目的探讨门静脉-下腔静脉吻合术用于预防活体肝移植术后小肝综合征(small-for-size liver syndrome,SFSS)的效果。方法 3例活体肝移植均采用不含肝中静脉的右半肝作为移植物。术中发现实测移植物(肝)重量/受体的体质量(体重)的比值(graft to recipient weight ratio,GRWR)为0.58%、0.77%及0.71%,均<0.8%,符合小移植物的诊断。处理:首先吻合肝静脉流出道,其次吻合门静脉,将受体门静脉右支与移植肝门静脉右支端端吻合,将受体门静脉左支与下腔静脉行端侧吻合达到门腔分流的作用,之后按顺序吻合动脉和胆道。术中均未行脾静脉结扎或脾切除等处理。术后定期随访。结果 3例患者术后均未发生SFSS并顺利出院,出院时间分别为术后25d、34d及56d。移植肝功能逐步好转,术后1d门静脉流速理想。移植肝增长良好。门静脉-下腔静脉短路通畅时间:除1例通畅持续仅104d,其余2例持续通畅。结论 LDLT术中进行门静脉-下腔静脉吻合术可以及时有效预防小移植物背景下的SFSS,受体门静脉左支与下腔静脉行端侧吻合的分流技术安全可靠。     

Treatment of colorectal liver metastasis with biliary and portal vein tumor thrombi by hepatopancreatoduodenectomy

We present a case of a large colorectal liver metastasis with portal vein and biliary tumor thrombi and duodenal and jejunal direct invasion that required hepatopancreatoduodenectomy. A 38-year-old woman presented to her local hospital with right back pain and jaundice. She had undergone transverse colectomy and limited liver resection for transverse colon cancer with a synchronous liver metastasis in September 1991, and low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma in January 1996. She was diagnosed as having colorectal liver metastasis and was referred to our hospital for possible surgery. Radiologic and endoscopic examinations revealed a large liver tumor occupying the right lobe, biliary dilation in the left lateral section, and a portal vein tumor thrombus. Invasion of the inferior vena cava and the right renal vein were also suspected. Intraoperative findings revealed a large liver tumor that occupied the right lobe and invaded the duodenum and jejunum. The tumor was resected successfully by right trisectionectomy, caudate lobectomy, pancreatoduodenectomy, partial resection of the jejunum, and combined portal vein resection and reconstruction. The inferior vena cava, right kidney, and renal vein could be detached from the tumor. The patient has enjoyed an active life without recurrence for 2 years since the operation.     

Interpostion vein graft in living donor liver transplantation

In adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), right lobe grafts without a middle hepatic vein can cause hepatic congestion and disturbance of venous drainage. To solve this problem, various types of interposition vein graft have been used. OBJECTIVES: We used various types of interposition vein grafts for drainage of the paramedian portion of the right lobe in living donor liver transplantation. METHODS: From June 1996 to June 2003, 37 of 176 patients (128 adults, 48 pediatric) who underwent LDLT received vein grafts for drainage of segments V, VIII, or the inferior portion of the right lobe. RESULTS: In 36 adult cases the reconstruction included the inferior mesenteric vein of the donor (n = 14); cadaveric iliac vein stored at cold (4 degrees C) temperature (n = 5); cryopreserved (-180 degrees C) cadaveric iliac vein (n = 10); cryopreserved cadaveric iliac artery (n = 1 case); donor ovarian vein (n = 1); recipient umbilical vein (n = 3); recipient saphenous vein (n = 1); recipient left portal vein (n = 1); recipient left hepatic vein (n = 1). In a pediatric case with malignant hemangioendothelioma that encased and compressed the inferior vena cava, we used an interposition vein graft to replace the inferior vena cava. CONCLUSION: Various types of interposition vein grafts can be used in living donor liver transplantation. Cryopreserved cadaveric iliac vein and artery are useful to solve these drainage problems.     

Hepatic venoplasty in living-donor liver transplantation using right lobe graft with middle hepatic vein

Inclusion of the middle hepatic vein in a right lobe graft from a living-donor may improve venous drainage and avoid graft dysfunction, but reconstruction of the middle hepatic vein is technically difficult. We developed a hepatic venoplasty technique, which was applied in eight consecutive right lobe liver transplantations. The right and middle hepatic veins of the graft were joined together to form a triangular cuff for a single anastomosis to the recipient's inferior vena cava. Hepatic venoplasty was successful in all cases, and no interposition graft was required. Venovenous bypass was not used. All grafts showed immediate function, and no hepatic venous outflow obstruction was observed. There was no reoperation and the graft survival rate was 100%. This hepatic venoplasty technique can be applied systemically as a standard one in right lobe liver graft with the middle hepatic vein to simplify the recipient hepatectomy and to obviate venous outflow obstruction.     

成人间活体肝移植的手术技术改进(附13例报告)

目的探讨成人间活体肝移植的手术技术改进.方法2005年3-6月,施行了13例成人间右半肝活体肝移植,其中1例接受了2个左半肝,另1例接受了1个活体右半肝,1个尸体左半肝,术中采用了改良的手术技术,包括右肝静脉的重建,肝中静脉分支的搭桥,肝动脉搭桥及胆道吻合的改进.结果全组供体无严重并发症及死亡,受体发生并发症4例,包括肝动脉栓塞,胆漏,右膈下脓肿及肺部感染各1例,1例再移植因术后肺部感染,导致多器官衰竭（MOF）死亡.13例中除右肝静脉与下腔静脉（IVC）直接吻合,5例加行右肝下静脉重建,另5例采用自体大隐静脉搭桥行肝中静脉分支与IVC重建,保证了右肝的流出道通畅.移植物与受体重量比（GRWR）为0.72%至1.24%,其中9例＜1.0%,2例＜0.8%,无小肝综合征发生.结论采用了改进的手术技术,特别是肝静脉流出道的充分重建可有效避免小肝综合征,从而使活体右半肝移植成为相当安全的手术.     

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.     

Remnant Torsion Causing Budd-Chiari Syndrome After Right Hepatectomy

Introduction  

Torsion or rotation of the remnant left liver after right hepatectomy is a potential cause of venous outflow obstruction. This can occur by external compression on the inferior vena cava or kinking of the left hepatic vein.     

紧贴下腔静脉肝血管瘤的手术治疗

目的探讨紧贴下腔静脉（inferior vena cava,IVC）的肝血管瘤的手术治疗。方法回顾性分析2003年1月至2005年9月手术切除的30例紧贴IVC的肝血管瘤的临床资料,利用第三肝门解剖法、肝静脉结扎阻断法、半肝血流阻断法3种方法,切除紧贴IVC的肿瘤。结果30例肝血管瘤均安全切除,IVC修补5例,术中出血量100～5000ml。术后无明显并发症发生。随访至今,1例血管瘤复发,其余均良好。结论把肿瘤的流入、流出道在肝外预先处理,可以减少手术的风险。术中注意肿瘤的显露,力争肿瘤的完整切除,避免流出道梗阻,肝脏创面渗血不止等紧急情况下压纱布也是一种有效的选择。     

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.     

Donor graft outflow venoplasty in living donor liver transplantation.

Hepatic venous outflow reconstruction is a key to successful living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) because its obstruction leads to graft dysfunction and eventual loss. Inclusion or reconstruction of most draining veins is ideal to ensure graft venous drainage and avoids acute congestion in the donor graft. We developed donor graft hepatic venoplasty techniques for multiple hepatic veins that can be used in either right- or left-lobe liver transplantation. In left-lobe grafts, venoplasty consisting of the left hepatic vein and adjacent veins such as the left superior vein, middle hepatic vein, or segment 3 vein is performed to create a single, wide orifice without compromising outflow for anastomosis with the recipient's vena cava. In right lobe graft where a right hepatic vein (RHV) is adjacent with a significantly-sized segment 8 vein, accessory RHV, and/or inferior RHV, venoplasty of the RHV with the accessory RHV, inferior RHV, and/or segment 8 vein is performed to create a single orifice for single outflow reconstruction with the recipient's RHV or vena cava. Of 35 venoplasties, 2 developed hepatic venous stenoses which were promptly managed with percutaneous interventional radiologic procedures. No graft was lost due to hepatic venous stenosis. In conclusion, these techniques avoid interposition grafts, are easily performed at the back table, simplify graft-to-recipient cava anastomosis, and avoid venous outflow narrowing.     

儿童劈离式肝移植术后肝静脉流出道梗阻1例报道及文献复习

目的探讨儿童劈离式肝移植术后肝静脉流出道梗阻(hapatic venous outflow obstruction,HVOO)的病因、临床表现、诊断及治疗。方法回顾性分析1例儿童劈离式肝移植术后肝静脉流出道梗阻病例的临床资料并进行文献复习。结果患儿于术后8个月无明显诱因出现腹胀、纳差、双下肢水肿,经腹部B超、计算机断层摄影术(computed tomography,CT)增强扫描、下腔静脉及肝静脉造影确诊迟发型HVOO,遂行球囊扩张术,手术成功。球囊扩张术后10个月及15个月HVOO复发,均接受再次球囊扩张术,手术成功。随访至今患儿存活,未再发腹胀、纳差,肝功能正常。结论对于术后无明显诱因出现腹水、腹胀、纳差和双下肢水肿等表现的患儿,应重点排除HVOO,下腔静脉及肝静脉造影是诊断该病的金标准。对于迟发型的HVOO患儿,球囊扩张术和支架置入是理想的治疗方式,但支架置入的选择及时机仍存在争议。     

The paracaval segments of the liver

Two segments constitute thedorsal sector: I to the left and in front of the inferior vena cava, and IX in front and to the right of the cava; they are united inferiorly by the caudate process. Segment I includes the caudate lobe, and segment IX is incorporated in the posterior surface of the right liver. Small dorsal pedicles, which are quite numerous, arise from the posterior margin of the main portal elements, and ascend upward. Segment I receives twigs from the left or right livers, many from the right lateral pedicle (67 biliary branches enter the right lateral duct, the unique duct in three cases). Segment IX consists of three subsegments. IXb lies under the interval between the middle and right superior hepatic veins, in 40% of the cases examined the veins come from the left portal vein or the bifurcation, in 6 cases the ducts enter the left hepatic duct, in 40 cases the branches extend higher than the plane of the main hepatic veins, in 18 cases reaching the upper surface of the liver. IXc is under the right hepatic vein, and IXd is to the right of a vertical plane passing by the right superior vein. Hepatic veins, enter the cava directly, sometimes the middle or the left hepatic veins.