Feasibility of aorta after endarterectomy as middle hepatic vein reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation

Abstract

Introduction: Cryopreserved iliac vein, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts, and cryopreserved aorta without endarterectomy have been used as middle hepatic vein (MHV) conduits for right liver graft in living donor liver transplantation, but each has advantages and disadvantages. In this study, we started to use aorta after endarterectomy (AoE) without any additional patches and checked patency after engraftment. Method: From January 2015 to June 2018, 111 cases of adult LDLT with modified right lobe grafts using aorta after endarterectomy were performed at Asan Medical Center. Retrospective analysis of patency in these recipients were carried out and compared with control group who received iliac vein (n=436) during the same study period. All vessels were stored and prepared as cryopreservation. Patency of reconstructed MHV was assessed by computed tomography (CT) which was routinely followed at every week during in-hospital stay and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after LDLT. Result: Clinically significant stenosis of MHV requiring interventional stenting was occurred in three patients (2.7%) in AoE group, not significantly different from seventeen patients (3.9%) in iliac vein group (p=0.778). Aorta after endarterectomy showed 3-month patency rate of 91.6% and 1-year patency rate of 63.5%. Mean patency time of MHV with AoE 21.4±1.9 months. When compared to iliac vein group, which demonstrated 3-month and 1-year patency rate as 90.0% and 37.3%, respectively, AoE proved superior patency outcome (p=0.001). Mean patency time of iliac vein was 19.6±2.2 months. Conclusion: In this study, AoE showed an acceptable outcome and even better patency compared to iliac vein. Clinically significant complication of stenosis or obstruction of MHV was fairly low. Larger diameter with well-matched thickness to MHV branches, not requiring iliac artery patch, is of great advantage in AoE as interposition graft.