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Alternatives to the double vena cava method in partial liver transplantation
Author(s) -
Kishi Yoji,
Sugawara Yasuhiko,
Matsui Yuichi,
Akamatsu Nobuhisa,
Motomura Noboru,
Takamoto Shinichi,
Makuuchi Masatoshi
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
liver transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.814
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1527-6473
pISSN - 1527-6465
DOI - 10.1002/lt.20306
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , venous congestion , liver transplantation , inferior vena cava , anastomosis , transplantation , vena cava , external iliac vein , vein , hepatic veins , radiology
Minimizing graft congestion in partial liver transplantation is important, especially when the graft weight is marginal for the recipient metabolic demand. We prefer the double vena cava technique for reconstructing middle hepatic vein tributaries with thick, short hepatic veins because the technique can reduce the warm ischemic time of the graft and make a wide anastomosis. This technique requires a cryopreserved superior or inferior vena cava. We devised an alternative double vena cava method using iliac or femoral vein grafts and applied it to two right liver transplantation patients. There was no postoperative hepatic venous outflow block in either patient. In conclusion, application of this technique, even in the absence of a suitable vena cava, can help to minimize graft congestion. (Liver Transpl 2005;11:101–103.)