Lowering the incidence of complications of portal vein through vascular graft interposition during pediatric transplantation / 中华器官移植杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the feasibility of using vascular graft interposition for lowering the complications of portal vein during pediatric liver transplantation.Methods:From June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2018, clinical data were collected for 297 children undergoing liver transplantation, including basic demographics, general preoperative status, preoperative tests, imaging findings, graft related profiles, surgical procedures and postoperative follow-ups, etc. Then the authors analyzed the effect of using interposition vessels upon lowering postoperative complications of portal vein reconstruction.Results:With a median age of 12 months, there were 153 boys (51.5%) and 144 girls (48.5%). The primary disease was mostly biliary atresia ( n=222, 74.7%). The median diameter of portal vein was 5 mm. There were 19 cases (6.4%) using vascular interposition. Among 20 cases of portal vein complications, there were portal vein stenosis ( n=17, 5.7%) and portal vein thrombosis ( n=3, 1.0%). After univariate analysis, binary Logistic regression analysis revealed that diameter of recipient's portal vein was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of portal vein complications after liver transplantation. Statistical analysis of children with portal vein diameter <4 mm ( n=90) was carried on and the results showed that there was no inter-group statistical difference ( χ2=3.061, P=0.080)on the occurrence of portal vein complications. Conclusions:Diameter of portal vein is an important factor affecting the strategic choice of portal vein reconstruction during pediatric liver transplantation and an independent risk factor for portal vein complications after liver transplantation. When the diameter of portal vein is ≤4 mm, using interposition vascular anastomosis shows no significant difference with other conventional modes.