Case Report
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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 14, 2014; 20(34): 12359-12362
Published online Sep 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i34.12359
Portal vein arterialization technique for liver transplantation patients
Kun Zhang, Yi Jiang, Li-Zhi Lv, Qiu-Cheng Cai, Fang Yang, Huan-Zhang Hu, Xiao-Jin Zhang
Kun Zhang, Yi Jiang, Li-Zhi Lv, Qiu-Cheng Cai, Fang Yang, Huan-Zhang Hu, Xiao-Jin Zhang, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fu Zhou General Hospital, Nan Jing Military Command, Fuzhou 350025, Fujian Province, China
Author contributions: Jiang Y designed the research; Zhang K, Jiang Y, Lv LZ, Cai QC, Yang F, Hu HZ and Zhang XJ performed the research; Cai QC contributed new reagents and analytic tools; Zhang K and Zhang XJ analyzed the data; Zhang K wrote the paper.
Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province, China, No. 2011Y0046
Correspondence to: Yi Jiang, MD, Professor, Mentor for Doctoral Candidates, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fu Zhou General Hospital, Nan Jing Military Command, Gulou District, Fuzhou 350025, Fujian Province, China. zhangkun73@aliyun.com
Telephone: +86-591-22859377 Fax: +86-591-22859377
Received: February 8, 2014
Revised: April 2, 2014
Accepted: April 21, 2014
Published online: September 14, 2014
Processing time: 222 Days and 4.2 Hours
Abstract

Liver transplantations were performed on two patients with hepatic failure caused by liver cirrhosis. Hard obsolete thrombi and portal venous sclerosis were observed in the major portal veins of both patients. The arteria colica media of one recipient and the portal vein of the donor were anastomosed end-to-end. The hepatic artery of the first donor was anastomosed end-to end with the gastroduodenal artery of the first recipient; meanwhile, the portal vein of the second donor was simultaneously anastomosed end- to-end with the common hepatic artery of the second recipient. The blood flow of the portal vein, the perfusion of the donor liver and liver function were satisfactory after surgery. Portal vein arterialization might be an effective treatment for patients whose portal vein reconstruction was difficult.

Keywords: Portal vein arterialization; Liver transplantation; Portal vein; Postoperative complication; Donor

Core tip: Portal vein arterializations of patients with portal vein reconstruction difficulties (e.g., extensive portal thrombosis, portal venous cavernous transformation and decreased portal vein perfusion) suggest that this technique is an effective treatment for liver transplantation patients; however, we should also pay close attention to preventing postoperative complications.