Renal artery reconstruction for harvesting injuries in kidney transplantation with particular reference to the use of vascular allografts

At the University of Pittsburgh during the calendar year 1986, an arterial injury occurred during harvesting in 20 (7.5%) of the 270 grafts used to perform kidney transplantation (KTx). Four cases required reconstruction, using extension iliac arterial allografts from cadaveric donors of the same blood type; 6 patients, remodelling of the aortic patch in multiple arteries; 4 cases, repairs for injuries to the smaller segmental/polar arteries; 6 cases, a combination of the above techniques. These ex vivo arterial reconstructions are described and the use of donor arterial homografts is emphasized. No deaths have occurred at an average follow-up of 19 months. The postoperative acute tubular necrosis (ATN) rate was significantly higher (90%) compared with non-reconstructed kidneys during the same year (30%). The 1-year graft survival of kidneys undergoing arterial reconstruction (75%) was statistically no different than the overall kidneytransplant survival. Whenever extension iliac allografts were utilized, the cyclosporin-steroid immunosuppression required to control the kidney rejection contributed to the long-term patency rate of the graft. Since the number of organs available for grafting is limited, reconstruction of injured renal vessels has become justified, allowing valuable kidneys to be used that would otherwise be lost     

供肾血管损伤的外科处理

目的　探讨供肾血管损伤的处理方法 ,为临床提供参考依据。方法　回顾性分析 32例供肾血管损伤同种异体肾移植患者的资料 ,选取 6 0例同期施行肾移植非供肾血管损伤患者作为对照组。供肾血管损伤的修复方法主要包括供肾动脉端端吻合术、并接吻合术、交接吻合术、供 (受 )体髂内血管肾动脉修复术、腹壁下动脉肾动脉吻合术、供肾倒置下极肾动脉髂内动脉吻合术等。结果2 8例为肾动脉损伤 ,4例肾静脉损伤。平均体外修复手术时间 4 2min ,平均温缺血时间 31min。随访 1～ 5 (平均 3 5 )年 ,无患者死亡。供肾血管损伤组和对照组 1年移植肾存活率、术后 1年急性排斥反应、肾功能延迟恢复及血管吻合口狭窄发生率分别为 96 9% ,98 3% (P >0 0 5 ) ;12 5 % ,11 7% (P >0 0 5 ) ;2 1 9% ,18 3% (P >0 0 5 ) ;3 1% ,1 7% (P >0 0 5 )。结论　灵活、恰当地应用不同修复方法和良好的外科操作技术对保证血管损伤供肾的质量、提高利用率有重要作用。     

The long-term outcomes of transplantation of kidneys with multiple renal arteries

Kidneys with multiple renal arteries are increasingly procured for transplantation. To compare the outcomes of kidney transplantation using allografts with multiple arteries, we studied long-term graft function and survival according to their number of arterial anastomoses during an 18-year period from July 1, 1990, through December 31, 2008, in which only the recipient's external iliac artery or internal iliac artery was used for anastomosis (n = 1186). The recipients were divided into four groups: group I, single renal artery with single anastomosis (n = 890, 75.0%); group Il, multiple renal arteries, single anastomosis (n = 26, 2.2%); group Ill, multiple renal arteries, multiple anastomoses (n = 236, 19.9%); and group IV, polar artery ligation (n = 34, 2.9%). We compared the following variables patient and graft survivals; mean creatinine levels at 1 and 6 months, as well as 1-, 3-, and 5-years posttransplant; the number of acute rejection episodes, and the rates of vascular and urologic complications. The creatinine values and incidences of acute rejection episodes did not differ significantly (P = 0.399 and P = 0.990, respectively). There were no significant differences among the four groups in graft survival (P = 0.951), patient survival (P = 0.751), incidence of vascular (P = 0.999) or urologic complications (P = 0.371). The four groups were subdivided according to the recipient arterial anastomosis to the main graft renal artery. The subdivided groups showed no significant differences in graft or patient survival, or complications rates. The results indicated that multiplicity of renal arteries in kidney transplantation did not adversely affect allograft or patient survival compared with single renal artery transplantation. Moreover, the type of the arterial anastomosis (main renal artery end-to-end anastomosed to internal iliac artery or end-to-side anastomosed to external iliac artery appeared to not affect graft or patient survival or the incidence of vascular or urologic complications.     

儿童肾移植23例临床分析

目的　探讨儿童肾移植的临床特点及围手术期处理特点。方法　回顾性分析平均年龄(15 4± 1 0 )岁的 2 3例儿童肾移植患者的临床资料 ,统计术后移植肾功能变化、急性排斥及并发症发生率。结果　 2 3例手术过程顺利 ,均未出现外科并发症。 1例治疗非顺应致移植肾失去功能 ,2 2例术后平均 5 5d恢复肾功能。术后 6个月内科并发症包括高血压 13例 (5 7% )、肺部感染 4例 (17% )、骨髓抑制与药物性肝损害各 3例 (13% )。术后 1年内急性排斥反应 4例 (17% )。术后第 1年体重平均增加 2 3kg ,身高平均增高 1 0cm。 1年、3年人 /肾生存率分别为 10 0 % / 96 %、90 % / 80 %。结论　肾移植是治疗儿童终末期肾病的有效治疗措施。合适的术式、术后免疫抑制药物的合理应用、并发症的预防和及时治疗是提高人、肾存活率的关键。     

Short- and long-term outcomes of kidney transplants with multiple renal arteries.

OBJECTIVE: The authors determined whether the use of kidney allografts with multiple renal arteries adversely effects post-transplant graft and patient outcome or increases the incidence of vascular and urologic complications. BACKGROUND: Kidney grafts with multiple renal arteries have been associated with an increased incidence of early vascular and urologic complications. Kidney transplants with single versus multiple renal arteries have not been compared in regard to long-term graft and patient outcome or post-transplant incidence of hypertension, acute tubular necrosis, rejection, and late vascular and urologic complications. METHODS: We analyzed 998 adult kidney transplants done from December 1, 1985 through June 30, 1993, in which only the recipient's external or internal iliac artery was used for anastomosis. We divided the study population into 3 groups: Group A-1 renal artery, 1 arterial anastomosis (n = 835), Group B-->1 renal artery, 1 arterial anastomosis (n = 112), Group C-->1 renal artery, > 1 arterial anastomosis (n = 51). We compared the incidence of post-transplant hypertension, acute tubular necrosis, acute rejection, and vascular and urologic complications; mean creatinine levels at 1, 3, and 5 years post-transplant; and patient and graft survival. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to identify risk factors for vascular complications. RESULTS: We found no significant differences among the three groups for the following variables: post-transplant hypertension, acute tubular necrosis, acute rejection, creatinine levels, early vascular and urologic complications, and graft and patient survival. In kidneys with single arteries, the presence (vs. absence) of an aortic patch and the type of the arterial anastomosis (end-to-end to the hypogastric vs. end-to-side to the external iliac artery) did not have an impact on the incidence of early or late vascular complications. In kidneys with multiple arteries, only the rate of late renal artery stenosis was higher, the rate of early vascular and urologic complications was not different. Our multivariate analysis identified acute tubular necrosis as a risk factor for renal artery and vein thrombosis; graft placement on the left side for arterial thrombosis; and preservation time > or = 24 hours and multiple renal arteries for renal artery stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Results of kidney transplants using allografts with multiple versus single arteries are similar.     

Management of renal allografts with multiple renal arteries resulting from laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy

Laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy (LLDN) has become an accepted procedure in many transplant centers. The placement of laparoscopic vascular staples can result in multiple short, small-caliber renal arteries that the recipient surgeon must deal with to restore perfusion to all parts of the kidney. The incidence of multiple renal arteries resulting from LLDN, surgical management of multiple renal arteries, and the short- and long-term graft functions were studied in 73 consecutive kidney recipients at a single center. Various techniques used for reconstruction are described, including the use of recipient internal iliac artery for the extension and reconstruction of small-caliber, short renal vessels. Single-artery allografts were compared with those with multiple arteries, with length of renal artery, warm ischemia time, hospital length of stay, operating time, creatinine levels, and 1 yr survival rates not found to be significantly different. The presence of multiple renal arteries should not exclude the possibility of using the left kidney for LLDN.     

Trasplante renal mediante reconstrucción de conducto vascular en riñones de donantes fallecidos con arterias renales múltiples y venas renales cortas

BackgroundTransplantation of kidneys with vascular anatomical variants remains a challenge. Due to its varying success in regard to graft function after transplantation, these organs have been frequently discarded assuming in advance an unaffordable rate of vascular complications.Patients and methodsWe performed three kidney transplants using organs from deceased donors harboring vascular variants (multiple arteries and short veins), including an unsplittable horseshoe kidney. Different grafts harvested from the same donor aorta, common iliac artery, and inferior vena cava, were used to reconstruct the initial vascular configuration by creating single arterial and venous conduits aimed to simplify the vascular anastomoses in the recipient.ResultsNo post-operative complications were recorded. Warm ischemia times remained comparable to single artery renal allografts. No delayed graft function was noted in any case, and every patient regained normal renal function after transplantation.ConclusionsVascular reconstruction using arterial and venous grafts harvested from the same deceased donor may result a helpful tool to simplify vascular anastomoses during transplantation surgery, thus avoiding their discard in advance, minimizing perioperative complications, and enabling normal graft function rates in the long-term follow-up. The successful outcome obtained by using this approach would help to expand the donor criteria for the inclusion of organs containing vascular anatomical variants.     

糖尿病髂动脉硬化患者肾移植术51例报告

目的探讨糖尿病髂动脉硬化患者的肾移植手术特点。方法51例糖尿病合并髂动脉硬化的肾移植受者共行肾移植术54例次。其中肾动脉与髂外动脉直接端侧吻合13例次；切除硬化内膜，肾动脉与髂总／髂外动脉端侧吻合19例次；切除硬化内膜，肾动脉与髂内动脉钛环钉法端端吻合22例次。结果发生移植肾血流灌注不足致移植肾原发性无功能3例次，发生移植肾功能延迟恢复9例次（17．6％），其余42例次移植肾功能恢复良好。围手术期死亡2例（均为心跳骤停）。随访11—70个月，1年人／肾存活率为89．8％／87．8％，3年存活率为84．4％／81．3％。结论糖尿病髂动脉硬化患者移植肾动脉吻合困难，为保证移植肾有充足的血流灌注，应根据患者的不同情况选择吻合血管，并行硬化动脉内膜切除术。合并冠心病的患者肾移植术前应先行心肌再血管化手术。     

Should the indications for laparascopic live donor nephrectomy of the right kidney be the same as for the open procedure? Anomalous left renal vasculature is not a contraindiction to laparoscopic left donor nephrectomy

BACKGROUND: The left kidney is preferred for live donation. In open live donor nephrectomy, the right kidney is selected if the left kidney has multiple renal arteries or anomalous venous drainage. With laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LLDN), there is reluctance to procure the right kidney because of the more difficult exposure and further shortening of the right renal vein (RRV) after a stapled transection. An experience with LLDN is reviewed to determine whether the right kidney should be procured laparoscopically. METHODS: From February 1995 to November 1999, 227 patients underwent live donor renal transplants with allografts procured by LLDN. The results of these transplants were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 227 kidneys transplanted, 17 (7.5%) were right kidneys. In the early experience, three (37.5%) of the eight right renal allografts developed venous thrombosis, two of which had duplicated RRV. Based on these initially unacceptable results, donor evaluation and LLDN techniques were modified. Spiral computerized tomography (CT) replaced conventional angiography to define better the venous anatomy. LLDN was modified in one of three ways: (1) changing the stapler port placement such that the RRV was transected in a plane parallel to the inferior vena cava, (2) relocation of the incision for open division of RRV, or (3) lengthening of the donor RRV with a panel graft constructed of recipient greater saphenous vein. Finally, the recipient operation enjoined complete mobilization of the left iliac vein with transposition lateral to the iliac artery. With these modifications, there were no vascular complications with the subsequent nine right renal allografts (P<0.05). Of the left kidneys transplanted, 31 had multiple renal arteries, 14 had retroaortic or circumaortic veins, 4 had both multiple arteries and venous anomalies, and 1 had a duplicated IVC draining the left renal vein. There were no vascular complications with left renal allografts that had multiple arteries or venous anomalies. CONCLUSIONS: LLDN of the left kidney is technically easier. Left kidneys with multiple arteries or anomalous venous drainage are not problematic. The right kidney can be procured with LLDN; however, a rational approach to preoperative angiographic imaging, donor operation, and recipient operation is crucial.     

亲属活体肾移植供肾多支动脉变异的血管重建

目的多支动脉供肾是亲属活体供肾移植手术的难点，探讨多支动脉供肾手术中的血管重建方法。方法2006年4月-2008年3月，实施亲属活体肾移植77例，其中单支动脉型供肾组63例，多支动脉型供肾组14例。14例多支动脉型供肾，左肾9例，右肾5例，其中2支动脉变异者11例，3支动脉变异者3例。所有供、受者手术前常规行淋巴细胞毒交叉试验、人类白细胞抗原配型等检查。供者取肾手术采取经12肋腰部切口取肾，对多支动脉型右侧供肾，采取在腔静脉后方游离肾动脉。受者植肾手术采取经典的下腹部大L型切口将移植肾置于髂窝内。多支动脉型供肾组移植肾动脉采取分别与髂内动脉和／或髂外动脉吻合。结果多支动脉型供肾组14例供肾者术中均未输血，术后7～9d出院，无任何并发症。随访3个月～1年，肾功能、血压及尿常规完全正常。术后受者均无急性肾小管坏死、肾血管栓塞、肾动脉狭窄、尿瘘、输尿管坏死等并发症，彩色超声检查示移植肾血供均良好。与单支动脉供肾组比较，多支动脉型供肾组受者吻合血管开放后开始泌尿时间、术后第1周的平均血肌酐、平均动脉压、住院时间差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论正确处理活体供肾多支动脉是活体肾移植安全的保证。     

Transplantation of En Bloc Pediatric Kidneys With a Bladder Segment Patch After a Complex Vascular Reconstruction: A Case Report

BackgroundEn bloc pediatric kidney (EBPK) allografts represent one potential solution to increase the number of organs available in the donor pool, thus facilitating transplantation of kidneys from young donors into adult recipients. However, EBPK transplantation has been traditionally considered suboptimal because of concerns for perioperative complications.MethodsAn extensive reconstruction and successful transplantation of an EBPK allograft using same pediatric donor vascular grafts and a bladder patch aiming to avoid postoperative complications is presented in this report.ResultsThe warm ischemia time was 25 minutes. No surgical drainage or ureteral stent were used. Postoperative Doppler ultrasound showed laminar blood flow and normal parameters in both the external iliac and graft arteries, no collections, and no signs of obstructive uropathy. The patient had an uneventful recovery showing a creatinine level of 0.86 mg/dL and 0.85 mg/dL at 1 month and 3 months, respectively.ConclusionsA refined back-table reconstruction of these allografts is crucial to avoid mishaps in the postoperative period.     

The Arterial Anastomosis Between Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery and Small Polar Renal Artery in Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report

The presence of multiple renal arteries is the most common form of vascular anomalies found in donor kidneys. In rare cases, small renal polar arteries may be found. They can be anastomosed with deep inferior epigastric arteries, resulting in vascular augmentation of transplanted kidneys and contributing to better graft function. Renal perfusion may be increased via 2 types of vascular reconstruction known as “turbocharging” and “supercharging”. Turbocharging uses vascular sources within the same organ area, whereas supercharging uses distant vascular sources. Using additional vessels can either complicate the surgery or, contradictorily, ease the way of procedure. This case study presents a kidney transplant during which arterial anastomosis between deep inferior epigastric artery and small polar renal artery was performed.     

Kidney transplant in children weighing less than 15 kg: donor selection and technical considerations

BACKGROUND: Small children represent a challenging patient group in kidney transplantation (KTx). The aim of this study was to analyze patient and donor data influencing outcome in children that weighed <15 kg. METHODS: Sixty-eight kidneys were transplanted in 64 children that weighed <15 kg. In 44 cases, kidneys came from cadaveric donors (CAD) and in 24 cases from living-related donors (LRD). Grafts were placed transperitoneally via midline incision (n=16) or extraperitoneally to the iliac fossa (n=52). Vascular anastomoses were routinely performed to the aorta and vena cava even when the extraperitoneal approach was used. RESULTS: Vascular thrombosis was observed in two (3%), urinary leaks in five (7%), and stenosis in four (6%) patients. In six children receiving organs from adults to the iliac fossa, wound closure was performed using an absorbable mesh to avoid organ compression. Initial graft function occurred in 60 cases (88%). Frequency of initial graft function was significantly higher after KTx from LRD (100%) compared with CAD (82%). The 1-, 5-, and 10-year patient survival was 93%, 91%, and 91%, respectively, and the 1-, 5-, and 10-year graft survival was 92%, 85%, and 85%, respectively. There was no significant difference in patient and graft survival when KTx from LRD and CAD were compared. Within the CAD group, graft survival was improved using kidneys from donors >12 years compared with younger donors. CONCLUSION: Despite size discrepancy between recipients and grafts, KTx is feasible in children that weigh <15 kg by using an improved surgical technique even when adult organs are placed to the iliac fossa.     

Transplantation Using Renal Grafts With Multiple Renal Arteries: A Putative Study on the Impact of Arterial Reconstruction Technique and Site of Implantation on Outcomes

BackgroundIn the present retrospective study, we analyzed the outcomes of patients transplanted with grafts with multiple renal arteries (MRAs).Patients and MethodsIn total, 89 patients were transplanted with renal grafts with MRAs from 2003 to 2018. Demographic characteristics; type of donor; warm and cold ischemia times; arterial anastomosis technique; complications; graft function at first month, first year, and last outpatient clinic visit; and patient and graft survival were all retrospectively evaluated.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 40.4 ± 13.3 years. Fifty-six patients (62.9%) were male. In total, 42 patients (47.2%) received renal grafts from living related donors. In group A (n = 24; 27%), anastomosis was performed separately to the recipient external or internal iliac arteries; in group B (n = 38; 42.7%), the secondary artery was anastomosed to the main artery in a side-to-side fashion to form a single common orifice; in group C (n = 27; 30.3%), secondary arteries were anastomosed to the main renal artery in an end-to-side fashion. Creatinine clearance at the first month was significantly lower for deceased-donor grafts compared to living-donor renal grafts (P < .05). Creatinine clearance in the first postoperative month was significantly lower in group A and creatinine clearance in the first year was significantly lower in group C (P < .05). The best survival was found for anastomosis to the internal iliac artery (P < .05).ConclusionMRAs can be safely used and the reconstruction technique does not matter if the graft kidney’s arterial supply is preserved and the internal iliac artery is chosen for anastomosis.     

Bench Surgery in Right Kidney Transplantation

The problems deriving from the anatomic differences between the two harvested kidneys make the bench surgery necessary to solve some technical difficulties in transplantation. This condition is particularly real in the case of right kidney transplantation, especially in presence of arterial anomalies. In this study, we focused our attention on venous reconstruction in cases of short renal right veins. In 3 years, we performed 55 consecutive cadaveric renal transplants in patients with an end-stage chronic renal insufficiency. The right kidney was used in 30 patients, eight of whom had two or more arteries attached to a single aortic patch, and 22 had a single artery. In these right transplanted kidneys, the elongation of renal vein was performed end-to-side to the external iliac vein, reconstructing a “T-patch” (angular reconstruction) in 28 patients and a “linear” one in two cases. The vascular anastomoses had no thrombotic problems. We have followed the progress of the patients for more than 2 years; no one has lost the graft due to chronic rejection or other complications. In conclusion, elongation of the right renal vein with a T-patch constitutes a feasible, physiological procedure without vascular complications or apparent reverberations for graft blood flow.     

Reconstruction of Multiple Renal Arteries During Simultaneous Pancreas and Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report

We present a case of a multiple renal artery reconstruction during simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation. The kidney graft had 6 renal arteries, the aorta patch was 10 cm long, and there were two renal veins. To perform anastomoses to the left external iliac vessels we had to reconstruct the renal arterial and venal patches. The results of the transplantation were very good. Both grafts had satisfactory function, even though a control computed tomography performed a year after transplantation revealed infarction of a lower renal pole. Anatomical anomalies should not be a contraindication for transplantation, although transplants involving a multiplicity of vessels is a challenge for surgeons and requires both knowledge and microsurgical skills.     

Extracorporeal microsurgical repair of injured multiple donor kidney arteries prior to cadaveric allotransplantation

To prevent the complications of ureteral and parenchymal ischemia it is important to revascularize all accessory and main branches of the renal arteries in kidney transplantation. 11 allografts underwent ex vivo microsurgical repair of injured polar arteries prior to allotransplantation, and 1 patient had an in situ repair. Three extracorporeal reconstructive techniques are used that are applicable to most of the vascular injuries presented by multiple renal arteries. These are simple and effective methods that avoid subjecting the allograft to prolonged warm ischemia. There were no operative complications, and only one late arterial stenosis occurred; five transplants currently are functioning. The 1-year graft survival in this group, which is 50%, does not differ significantly from those of all transplants (58%). As a result of our policy, 10.5% more allografts were utilized.     

Renovascular reconstruction of grafts with renal artery variations in living kidney transplantation

INTRODUCTION: The shortage of grafts in living kidney transplantation has forced the use of marginal grafts with arterial disease or grafts with multiple renal arteries (MRA). We reviewed the outcomes of transplants using allografts with MRA procured by open donor nephrectomy and report two cases requiring vascular reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 31 cases where renovascular reconstruction of an MRA graft was performed. A ex vivo pantaloon (side-to-side) anastomosis to create a common channel was performed in 24 cases including two cases of renal artery aneurysms in the grafts, where vascular reconstruction was performed in the same fashion after resection of the aneurysm. In four cases, an accessory artery was anastomosed sequentially after revasculization of the main artery. In three cases of grafts with multiple renal arteries, multiple anastomoses were done in situ after various ex vivo renovascular reconstructions. RESULTS: Twenty one MRA grafts including grafts with a renal aneurysm are functioning well for a mean follow-up 135 months. The graft survival rate was 71.0% at 5 years after transplantation and 67.7% at 10 years. The donors whose grafts had a renal aneurysm were also well and normotensive with normal renal function at present. Ten grafts failed mainly due to chronic allograft nephropathy. CONCLUSION: MRA grafts procured by open nephrectomy, including those with renal artery aneurysms, were engrafted successfully by applying appropriate renovascular surgery. The use of those grafts was safe for both the recipient and the donor.     

Kidney transplantation in diabetic recipients with iliac atherosclerosis: arterial anastomosis with Nakayama's ring pin stapler after endarterectomy

Objectives: To report our experience of arterial anastomosis with Nakayama's ring pin staplers (titanium staplers) after an endarterectomy in kidney transplantation of diabetic recipients with iliac atherosclerosis. Methods: In a series of 2126 kidney transplantations carried out between January 1998 and December 2008, 62 recipients received an endarterectomy during transplantation before renal arterial anastomoses as a result of severe iliac atherosclerosis. The renal arteries were anatomosed to hypogastric arteries through titanium staplers in 32 patients (group 1), or to external/common iliac arteries with conventional suturing in 30 patients (group 2). Perioperative outcomes of the two groups have been compared. Results: The mean artery anastomosis time in group 1 was considerably shorter than in the group 2 (6.4 min vs 17.3 min, P < 0.001). Group 1 showed a lower rate of delayed graft function (4.8% vs 27.5%, P = 0.004). No difference in Kaplan–Meier patient survival rate was found between group 1 and group 2 after follow up of 67 ± 28 months (P = 0.58). Graft survival rate (patient deaths included) was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (P = 0.04). Conclusions: Arterial anastomosis with a titanium stapler is more rapid than conventional suture. It can diminish the rate of delayed graft function and improve the graft survival rate in diabetic recipients with severe iliac atherosclerosis.     

Biliary complications secondary to late hepatic artery thrombosis in adult liver transplant patients

Abstract Biliary complications (BC) are the usual presentation of late hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) of the liver graft. Our aim was to study the clinical features and outcome of BC secondary to HAT compared to BC which occurred in liver transplant (LT) patients with patent vessels. We present a retrospective study of 224 LTs performed in 204 patients between 1988 and 1996. The mean recipient x s age was 51 years. A choledochocholedochostomy without T-tube was used as biliary reconstruction in most cases (67%); in 12%, a choledochojejunostomy was performed. An iliac conduit was necessary in 15 % of cases and back-table arterial reconstruction was performed in 10 % of cases of anatomic variants in graft arteries. Different donor, recipient and intraoperative variables, as well as treatment and outcome, were studied in the two groups of patients presenting BC with or without HAT. BC occurred in 38 cases (17%) whereas HAT was diagnosed in 11 cases (4.9%). Therefore, 23 % of BC encountered after LT were secondary to HAT. Nine cases of late HAT manifested as BC, septicaemia (88 %) and hepatic bilomas (8 cases). Percutaneous or surgical drainage of hepatic bilomas was performed in all cases, followed by retransplantation in six cases (66%). BC secondary to HAT appeared later than the rest of BC. Donor age was the only significant predisposing factor found in our study. Graft survival is significantly reduced as most patients needed re-transplantation. In conclusion, BC secondary to HAT presented later in livers from older donors in the form of biliary sepsis and hepatic biloma. Retransplantation was ultimately required in most cases and graft survival was significantly diminished.