ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the methods and effectiveness of heterotopic reconstruetion of hepatic artery in orthotopic liver transplantation. Methods The methods of heterotopic hepatic artery reconstruction and postoperative management of 36 cases of recipient vascular anomalies among 440 cases of liver transplantation performed in our hospital over a ten year period,were retospectively analysed. Results In 10 of 36 recipients the donor hepatic artery was anastomosed to recipient infrarenal aorta ,10 to the suprarenal aorta ,4 to the left gastric artery and 2 to the splenic artery. Five patients died perioperatively with patency of hepatic artery, and 31 recipients have survived for 3 to 48 months without hepatic artery complications; 1 patient had to receive liver retransplantation because of ischemic necrosis of bile duct. Conclusions In cases of disease or anomaly of recipient hepatic artery during liver transplantation,the heterotopic reconstruction of donor hepatic artery to the infarenal or suprarenal aorta,splenic artery or left gastric artery of the reeipient is indicated,and the results are satisfactory.