Hepatic Artery Reconstruction Using the Recipient's Right Gastroepiploic Artery in Living Donor Liver Transplantation

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The hepatic arteries of transplant recipients are sometimes in too poor a condition to make a good anastomosis in living donor liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of hepatic artery reconstruction using the recipient's right gastroepiploic artery. METHODS: A total of 153 LDLTs were performed at Seoul National University Hospital from January 1999 to December 2003. In 10 cases, arterial reconstruction was performed by anastomosis of the donor's hepatic artery to the recipient's right gastroepiploic artery. Hepatic artery reconstruction was carried out with the aid of an operating microscope and with using the interrupted Carrel's technique. The adequate blood flow was verified during the operation by the Doppler ultrasonography and also daily for seven days after transplantation by means of Doppler ultrasonography. The median length of the follow-up was 40 months (range 20~60 months). RESULTS: In seven cases out of ten, the recipient's right gastroepiploic artery was initially used due to arterial thrombosis or because of severe endothelial damage of the recipient's hepatic artery. In the remaining three cases, the graft was revascularized using the recipient's right gastroepiploic artery. In all cases, excellent hepatic arterial flow was confirmed by the Doppler ultrasonography during the operation. Complications related to the hepatic artery were not detected during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The recipient's right gastroepiploic artery is a suitable alternative for hepatic artery reconstruction in LDLT.