Digital imaging technology defines intrahepatic anatomical variations and transection plane of the bile duct in right lobe living donor liver transplantation / 中华普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate biliary digital imaging technology in determining the type of the intrahepatic bile duct anatomy and the transection plane of the duct in right lobe living donor liver transplantation(LDLT). Methods Mobile digital subtraction angiography was performed to show the intrahepatic bile duct anatomy of 66 liver transplant donor candidates. Combined with metal markers, the bile duct transection plane was defined. Comparing with the actual results, the effect of digital imaging technology in determining the intrahepatic anatomical variations and transection plane of the duct in LDLT was evaluated. Results Intrahepatic bile duct anatomical variations were showed in all donors by using digital imaging technology. type Ⅰ (classical type) was identified in45 cases (68.2%), type Ⅱ (with triple confluence, the simultaneous emptying of the right anterior segmental duct, right posterior segmental duct and left hepatic duct into the common hepatic duct) in 7 cases ( 10.6% ), type Ⅲ (no right hepatic duct stem, right posterior segmental duct draining into common hepatic duct) in 13 cases ( 19. 7% ), type Ⅳ (no right hepatic duct stem, right posterior segmental duct draining into left hepatic duct) in 1 case (1.5%), and type Ⅴ (complex variation ) in no case (0%). As a result, cases of type Ⅰ form a single anastomosis. In type Ⅱ, four cases formed double anastomoses, three cases formed single anastomosis with or without ductoplasty. In type Ⅲ, two anastomoses were formed in 9 cases, single anastomosis in 4 cases with ductoplasty. The case of type Ⅳ had double anastomoses. In all cases right lobe liver were harvested.Conclusions Biliary digital subtraction image combined with metal markers accurately defines intrahepatic bile duct anatomy and the transection plane, helping to reduce number of bile duct anastomosis, and contributes to safe graft harvesting.