In Situ Procurement of a Recipient's Portal Vein for a Right Lobe Liver Graft With Multiple Venous Orifices: A Case Report

Abstract

Reconstruction of multiple venous orifices of a right lobe graft is a time-consuming and troublesome procedure in right lobe living-donor liver transplantation. In the current study, we present a new venous reconstruction technique for a right lobe graft with multiple and complex hepatic vein (HV) orifices, in which procurement of the recipient's left portal vein was performed in situ to keep the anhepatic period to a minimum. All of the HV orifices were reconstructed together at the back table, while maintaining patency of the recipient's systemic and splanchnic circulation. A homologous vein graft and veno-venous bypass were not necessary. All HVs were patent during the follow-up and the patient was free from complications. In conclusion, the present technique is readily available for reconstruction of complex and multiple HV tributaries, while avoiding a long anhepatic time and the use of veno-venous bypass.