Reconstruction of hepatic artery with a transposed splenic artery

Abstract

Introduction: Reconstruction of hepatic artery following its excision requires a prosthetic graft or saphenous vein graft. We report a case of hepatic artery reconstructed by a transposed splenic artery. Methods: We report a case of true hepatic artery aneurysm managed in our department. Results: A 65 yr old gentleman presented with pain abdomen of 1 month duration.He had 1 episode of hematemesis. CT angiography showed fusiform dilatation of distal 2/3rd of common hepatic artery.We took him for surgery as stent graft could not be placed.We excluded the aneurysm as the aneurysm was densely adherent to portal vein.After taking proximal control from celiac axis, the aneurysm was partially excised. The hepatic artery was cut just below the bifurcation. The splenic artery was mobilised for 6cm from pancreas. Thedistal end was cut and transposed to reconstruct the hepatic artery. There was no twist as splenic artery was mobilised till its origin from celiac axis. He had an uneventful postoperative course. Conclusion: Transposed Splenic artery can be used to reconstruct hepatic artery.