Hepatic Artery Reconstruction Research Articles

Extended Left Hemihapatectomy with Right Hepatic Artery Reconstruction for Primary Hepatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasm: A Brief Report

Extended Left Hemihapatectomy with Right Hepatic Artery Reconstruction for Primary Hepatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasm: A Brief Report

Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS) in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery: A Narrative Review and Proposed Management Algorithm.

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is an uncommon condition characterized by the compression of the celiac trunk by the median arcuate ligament. Due to the anatomical proximity to the foregut, MALS has significant implications in hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery. It can pose complications in pancreatoduodenectomy and orthotopic liver transplantation, where the collateral arterial supply from the superior mesenteric artery is often disrupted. The estimated prevalence of MALS in HPB surgery is approximately 10%. Overall, there is consensus for a cautious approach to MALS when embarking on complex foregut surgery, with a low threshold for intraoperative median arcuate ligament release or hepatic artery reconstruction. The role of endovascular intervention in the management of MALS prior to HPB surgery continues to evolve, but more evidence is required to establish its efficacy. Recognizing the existing literature gap concerning optimal management in this population, we describe our tertiary center experience as a clinical algorithm to facilitate decision-making. Research question: What is the significance and management of median arcuate ligament syndrome in patients undergoing hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery?

Short-term outcomes after liver resection with vascular reconstruction: Results from a study with the National Clinical Database of Japan.

Although curative resection with vascular reconstruction improves the prognosis of blood-invading locally advanced hepatobiliary tumors, the mortality and morbidity of the procedure remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the risk factors associated with mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing liver resection with vascular reconstruction. This retrospective observational study included 1215 patients undergoing hepatectomy of more than one section with vascular reconstruction, except for left lateral sectionectomy registered in the National Clinical Database (NCD) between 2015 and 2019. The rates of surgical mortality and relevant clinical factors were evaluated. Among the four types of vascular reconstruction, portal venous reconstruction was frequently performed in 724 patients (59.6% of the enrolled patients). Surgical mortality was 8.1%. Patients with hepatic artery reconstruction had the highest surgical mortality rate of 15.8%. In other types of reconstruction, surgical mortality was 9.1% in the portal vein, 5.2% in inferior vena cava, and 4.9% in hepatic vein. Factors significantly associated with surgical mortality include age, sex (male), preoperative comorbidity (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade >3, respiratory distress, diabetes, preoperative pneumonia, weight loss, and obstructive jaundice), poorer liver functional reserve (indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min and prothrombin time/international normalized ratio >1.1) and accompanying biliary reconstruction. The NCD revealed the detailed status of liver resection combined with vascular reconstruction in Japan. Based on the results of this analysis, understanding the factors that influence the outcome and postoperative course of each procedure will provide patients with accurate information and opportunities to improve future outcomes.

Restoration of Bile Outflow and Liver Revascularization After Cholecystectomy with Damage to the Hepaticocholedochus and Thrombosis of the Right Hepatic Artery

The problem of iatrogenic damage to the extrahepatic bile ducts during cholecystectomy remains relevant. Insufficient experience of the surgical team, limited knowledge of the topographic anatomy of the subhepatic space, especially in conditions of perivesical inflammatory infiltrate, poorly timed access conversion are some of the main reasons.The results of treatment of these patients depend on the timing of recognition of the injury, the type of the injury, the characteristics of reintervention, and timely reconstructive surgery performed in a specialized center. Up to 30 % of damage occurs due to combined injury to the extrahepatic bile ducts and afferent vessels of the liver, which aggravates the course of the disease.We report a clinical case of a female patient. The fragment of the hepaticocholedochus was excised during a planned cholecystectomy. In the same clinic, the primary reconstructive operation was performed (drainage of the hepaticocholedochus using a Kehr’s drain). Afterwards, an external fistula of the common hepatic duct was formed. The reconstructive operation was performed 4 days after the initial operation, in a specialized department of the regional clinical hospital. Relaparotomy was performed. In a dense inflammatory infiltrate during mobilization of the suspected hepaticocholedochus, a Kehr’s drain was identified, which distal branch was not located in the lumen of the bile duct. Thrombosis of the right hepatic artery was diagnosed. The Kehr’s drain was removed, the lobar ducts were identified to their confluence, and the confluence was preserved. The distal stump was sutured. Next, arteriotomy and thrombectomy were performed, and adequate retrograde and antegrade blood flow was recoverd. A hepaticoenteroanastomosis has been formed. The patient was discharged with recovery. When examined after 2 months, the condition was satisfactory. Timely diagnosis of thrombosis of the right hepatic artery, adequate revascularization and biliary reconstruction made it possible to avoid liver necrosis and achieve a good treatment outcome.

Left Hepatectomy Combined with Right Hepatic Artery Resection and Reconstruction for Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

BackgroundHepatectomy combined with hepatic artery reconstruction in the operation for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin tumor) is a challenging procedure. We present a video of left hepatectomy combined with right hepatic artery reconstruction for hilar cholangiocarcinoma.Patient and MethodsThe patient was a 60-year-old male who presented with obstructive jaundice. The imaging examination showed that the confluence of left and right hepatic ducts and the wall of common hepatic duct were thickened, the local lumen was narrowed, the intrahepatic bile duct was dilated, and the right hepatic artery was invaded by tumors nearly 2.3 centimeters. Left hepatectomy with total caudate lobectomy, resection with reconstruction of right hepatic artery, hilar lymphadenectomy, and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy were performed.ResultsThe operation time was 345 min, and the amount of bleeding was about 400 ml. There was no blood transfusion. The pathology showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, with negative margins of common bile duct and right hepatic duct, and negative results of all lymph nodes. The patient’s recovery was uneventful and he was discharged on postoperative day 14. The patient was disease free at 12-month follow-up evaluation.ConclusionsHepatic artery resection and reconstruction procedure is safe and feasible for hilar cholangiocarcinoma in a highly tertiary hepatobiliary center.

The Use of the "Flange Joint" Anastomotic Technique for Hepatic Artery Reconstruction in Liver Transplantation

The Use of the "Flange Joint" Anastomotic Technique for Hepatic Artery Reconstruction in Liver Transplantation

Comment on The Transition to Microsurgical Technique for Hepatic Artery Reconstruction in Pediatric Liver Transplantation

Comment on The Transition to Microsurgical Technique for Hepatic Artery Reconstruction in Pediatric Liver Transplantation

Liver transplantation with interposition saphenous vein conduits for arterial reconstruction: Impact of morbidity and arterial ischemia time

BackgroundThe outcomes of liver transplantation with hepatic arterial reconstruction using interposition saphenous vein conduits are not widely reported. Here, we share our experience using great saphenous vein conduits for hepatic arterial reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation. MethodsThis was a single-center retrospective review of patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation (n = 950). The saphenous vein conduits were used in 39 patients. We compared hepatic artery thrombosis, graft dysfunction, and 30-day and 1-year survival in the early (2012–2017) and late (2017–2020) transplant periods. ResultsAmong 39 patients (of whom 30 [76.9%] were males, median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease was 24 [interquartile range, 17–27], median age was 50 [interquartile range, 43–54]), saphenous vein conduits were placed on supra celiac aorta in 7 (17.9%), infrarenal aorta in 25 (64.1%), and other arteries in 7 (17.9%) patients. The number of biliary and hepatic vein anastomoses, total arterial ischemia time, portal vein–hepatic artery reperfusion time, and duration of surgery was different in the 2 groups (P < .05). The 30-day mortality was 5/21 (23.8%) and 0 in the early and late periods (P = .05). The 30-day survival was >90% in patients with portal vein–hepatic artery reperfusion time <240 minutes, ≤2 grade 3 complications, no graft dysfunction, and later period of transplantation (P < .05). The 1-year survival with standard transplantation, transplantation with saphenous vein conduits in the early and late period was 87%, 62%, and 89% (P = .022). ConclusionLiver transplantation with saphenous vein conduits is associated with acceptable outcomes. Major complications and arterial ischemia times are major determinants of outcomes.

Impact of Recipient’s Inflow Artery Selection on Hepatic Artery Thrombosis Post Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Abstract Background Hepatic artery reconstruction is one of the most important steps in liver transplantation, and complications associated with this vascular reconstruction, such as hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) may have a significant influence on the recipients’ prognosis. Aim of the Work The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate whether the selection of the recipient’s right versus left hepatic artery for hepatic artery reconstruction as an inflow artery will influence the chance of HAT after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Patients and Methods This is a retrospective study that analysed and evaluated the hospital records of all patients who underwent LDLT at Ain Shams University specialized Hospital (ASCOT) from January 2010 to January 2020. Records of all 390 patients were reviewed and drop out of 101 patients was performed according to the exclusion criteria. Results The study showed that the right hepatic artery was used in 79.5% of cases while the left hepatic artery was used in 20.1% of cases in the study population. The incidence of HAT was 7.3% in the whole study population. On further analysis of the arterial complications and distribution according to the usage of the right or left hepatic artery as the recipient inflow artery, there was an increase in the incidence of HAT when the right hepatic artery was used (7.9 %) compared to left hepatic artery which was (5.2 %) although it did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion Incidence of HAT was generally higher following LDLT using the right hepatic artery as the recipient’s inflow artery.

Letter to the Editor: Redo hepatic artery reconstruction for thrombosis without retransplantation in 1355 adult living donor liver transplantations.

Letter to the Editor: Redo hepatic artery reconstruction for thrombosis without retransplantation in 1355 adult living donor liver transplantations.

Reply: Redo hepatic artery reconstruction for thrombosis without retransplantation in 1355 adult living donor liver transplantations.

Reply: Redo hepatic artery reconstruction for thrombosis without retransplantation in 1355 adult living donor liver transplantations.

Technical characteristics and results of hepatic artery reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation using right lobe graft

Technical characteristics and results of hepatic artery reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation using right lobe graft

Redo hepatic artery reconstruction for thrombosis without retransplantation in 1355 adult living donor liver transplantations.

Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) after liver transplantation is associated with a marked increase in morbidity, leading to graft and patient loss. We evaluated the outcomes of adult living donor liver transplantation patients with HAT under an aggressive surgical intervention. A total of 1355 recipients underwent adult living donor liver transplantation at the Seoul National University Hospital. Surgical redo reconstruction for HAT was performed in all cases except in those with graft hepatic artery injury and late detection of HAT. Postoperative HAT developed in 33 cases (2.4%) at a median time of 3.5 days. Thirty patients (90.9%) underwent redo-arterial reconstruction. The survival rates in patients with HAT were similar to the rates in those without HAT (72.7% vs. 83.8%, p = 0.115). Although graft survival rates were lower in patients with HAT (84.8%) than in those without HAT (98.0%) ( p < 0.001), the graft survival rate was comparable (92.0% vs. 98.0%, p = 0.124) in the 25 patients with successful revascularization. Biliary complication rates were higher in patients with HAT (54.5%) than in those without HAT (32.0%) ( p = 0.008). In conclusion, the successful redo reconstruction under careful selection criteria saved the graft without retransplantation in 96.0% of the cases. Surgical revascularization should be preferentially considered for the management of HAT in adult living donor liver transplantation.

Effect of accessory hepatic artery reconstruction on prognosis in orthotopic liver transplantation: a single center experience

BackgroundIn orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), preserving an aberrant hepatic artery (AHA) can increase the number of arterial anastomoses and may lead to arterial-related complications. AHA includes accessory hepatic artery and replaced hepatic artery. Herein, the purpose of our research is to evaluate the requirement for accessory anastomosis in OLT.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed a total of 95 patients who underwent OLT in our hospital between April 2020 and December 2022. We found seven cases of donor livers with accessory HA. The method of arterial anastomosis and details of the diagnosis and treatment of complications were collated.ResultsAmong 95 consecutive patients with OLT, complications occurred in two of seven patients—patient 2 had an accessory right hepatic artery, while patient 5 had an accessory left hepatic artery. Patient 2 showed bile leakage leading to rupture and bleeding of the accessory HA anastomosis after OLT, and was treated with interventional coil embolization. In patient 5, hepatic artery thrombosis and accessory HA occlusion were treated with embolization and thrombolysis of the splenic artery and left gastric artery. During the intervention, we also found that the internal hepatic artery and accessory HA had communicating branches. After treatment, both patients remain healthy with no complications such as liver necrosis or liver abscess.ConclusionAn AHA can be ligated when assessed as an accessory artery. This can reduce the incidence of arterial complications, contribute to the perioperative management of liver transplantation (LT) patients, and improve the prognosis of LT.

A single-center initial experience on laparoscopic pancreatic operation combined with hepatic arterial resection and reconstruction.

This study aims to summarize our single-center initial experience in laparoscopic pancreatic operation (LPO) combined with hepatic arterial resection and reconstruction, as well as to demonstrate the feasibility, safety, and key surgical procedure for LPO. We retrospectively analyzed 7 patients who had undergone LPO combined with hepatic arterial resection and reconstruction in our center from January 2021 to December 2022. The clinical data of these 7 patients were collected and analyzed. In our case series, two patients underwent passive arterial resection and reconstruction due to iatrogenic arterial injury, and five patients underwent forward arterial resection and reconstruction due to arterial invasion. The arterial anastomosis was successful in 5 cases, including 2 cases of end-to-end in situ and 3 cases of arterial transposition, and the vascular reconstruction time was 38.28 ± 15.32 min. There were two conversions to laparotomy. The postoperative recovery of all patients was uneventful, with one liver abscess (Segment 4) and no Clavien III-IV complications. We also share valuable technical feedback and experience gained from the initial practice. Based on the surgeon's proficiency in open arterial resection and reconstruction and laparoscopic technique. This study demonstrated the feasibility of total laparoscopic hepatic arterial resection and reconstruction in properly selected cases of arterial involvement or iatrogenic arterial injury. Our initial experience provides valuable information for laparoscopic pancreas surgery with arterial resection and reconstruction.

Surgical treatment for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma:a single-center experience

Objective: To investigate surgical strategies and the corresponding benefits for patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma(pCCA). Methods: A total of 81 patients with pCCA who underwent radical excision in the Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery of Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital between January 2014 and December 2021 were retrospectively collected.The cohort consisted of 50 male and 31 female patients,with an age of (62.5±11.5)years(range:26 to 83 years).Seventy-five cases were diagnosed with jaundice,60 of whom received preoperative biliary drainage,while 20 patients received portal vein embolization.Their serum bilirubin level within one week before the operation(M(IQR)) was 44.3 (41.9) μmol/L(range:8.0 to 344.2 μmol/L).Preoperative imaging examinations were performed to evaluate the Bismuth-Corlette type of pCCA,showing 3,6,21,27,and 24 cases of Bismuth-Corlette type Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲa,Ⅲb,and Ⅳ,respectively.The primary outcome was overall survival (OS),and the secondary outcomes were relapse-free survival (RFS),90-day postoperative morbidity and 90-day postoperative mortality.OS and RFS were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the Log-rank test.Significant prognostic factors were determined using univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analyses. Results: In the cohort of 81 pCCA patients,67 cases(82.7%) underwent major hepatectomy while 3 cases received major hepatectomy combined with pancreaticoduodenectomy.Thirty-four patients underwent hepatectomy combined with vascular resection and reconstruction(18 cases of portal vein resection and reconstruction alone;9 cases of hepatic artery resection and reconstruction alone;7 cases of combination of portal vein and hepatic artery resection and reconstruction).Margin negative(R0 excision) were achieved in 53.1%(43/81) of these patients.The operation duration was (627±136)minutes(range:565 to 940 minutes),and the intraoperative blood loss was 400(455)ml(range:200 to 2 800 ml).The 90-day postoperative mortality was 3.7%(3/81).Grade 3-4 postoperative morbidity was 23.4% (19/81) according to the Clavien-Dindo classification of surgical complications.Up to the last follow-up at September 2022,the follow-up time was 34.0(24.2)months (range:0.4 to 103.6 months).Three patients who died within 90 days after surgery were excluded from the survival analysis.The median OS was 36.10 months (95%CI:18.23 to 42.97 months) and the 1-,3-and 5-year OS rates were 85.3%,46.8% and 27.3%,respectively.The median OS of 41 patients with negative margins was 47.83 months(95%CI:36.90 to 58.80 months) and that of 37 patients with positive margins was 20.47 months(95%CI:10.52 to 30.58 months).The median RFS of 70 patients with R0 and R1 resection was 24.50 months(95%CI:12.15 to 31.85 months)and the 1-,3-and 5-year RFS rates were 65.2%,45.7% and 29.9%,respectively.The median RFS of 41 patients with R0 resection was 38.57 months(95%CI:21.50 to 55.63 months) and that of 29 patients with R1 resection was 10.83 months(95%CI:2.82 to 19.86 months). Conclusions: The primary therapy for pCCA is radical surgical resection.A precise preoperative evaluation and sufficient preparation can reduce postoperative morbidity.Surgical treatment can achieve a better survival outcome by increasing the radical resection rate.

Surgical Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer: Currently Debated Topics on Vascular Resection.

Vascular resections involving the superior mesenteric and portal veins (SMV-PV), celiac axis (CA), superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and hepatic artery (HA) have multiplied in recent years, raising the resection rate for pancreatic cancer (PDAC) and the related morbidity and mortality rates. While resection is generally accepted for resectable SMV-PV, the usefulness of associated arterial resection in borderline resectable (BRPC) and locally-advanced PDAC (LAPC) is much debated. Careful selection of splenic vein reconstruction is very important to prevent left-sided portal hypertension (LSPH). During distal pancreatectomy (DP), CA and common HA resection is largely accepted, while there is debate on the value of SMA and proper HA resection and reconstruction. Their resection is useless according to several reviews and meta-analyses, and some international societies, although some high-volume centers have reported good results. Short- and long-term reconstructed vessel patency varies with the type of reconstruction, the material used, and the surgeon's experience. Laparoscopic and robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy and DP are generally accepted if done by surgeons performing at least 10 such procedures annually. The usefulness of associated vascular resection remains highly controversial. Surgeons need to complete numerous minimally-invasive procedures to overcome the learning curve, and prevent an increase in complications and surgical mortality. Higher resectability rates and satisfactory long-term results have been reported after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for BRPC and LAPC requiring vascular resection. It is essential to select the most appropriate NAT for a given patient and to assess PDAC resectability preoperatively.

Technique of Hepatic Artery Anastomosis in Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Review of Its Results in Over 1200 Adult and Pediatric Transplants.

Failure to achieve a good arterial inflow to the graft in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has disastrous consequences to the graft and patient survival. Standard microvascular techniques of hepatic artery (HA) anastomosis used in deceased donor liver transplantation are not applicable in LDLT. We present the results of our unique Backwall-first technique of HA anastomosis in both adult and pediatric LDLT. Retrospective review of all consecutive patients who underwent LDLT from January 2010 to December 2020 was performed from our prospective database. Data with regard to early postoperative (90-day) hepatic arterial complications were analyzed. A total of 1276 LDLTs (876 adults, 400 children) were performed during the study period. In the 90-day postoperative period, HA anastomotic complications [thrombosis in 11 (0.9%); pseudoaneurysm in 3 (0.2%)] were observed in 14 recipients (1.1%) including 8 adults (0.9%) and 6 children (1.5%). Eight of these 14 recipients (0.6%) including 4 adults (0.5%) and 4 children (1%) had standard HA reconstruction. The remaining six (0.5%) including 4 adults and 2 children had complex arterial reconstruction with interposition graft and/or alternative arterial inflow. The Backwall-first technique of HA reconstruction described in this study achieved a very low HA complication rate in LDLT.

Splenic artery transposition for hepatic arterial supply in living donor liver transplantation.

To determine the safety and outcome of splenic artery(SA) transposition in extra-anatomic hepatic arterial reconstruction (HAR) in living donor liver transplantation(LDLT). We retrospectively compared the outcome of the ten liver recipients who underwent HAR with the transposed splenic artery (SA group) with a matched cohort of 40 recipients who underwent HAR with the standard hepatic artery (HA group) between March, 2019 and December, 2020 at liver transplantation department, Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Jeelani Institute of Medical Sciences, Pakistan. The comparison of recipients' and donor demographics, operative and graft characteristics, post-operative labs, Doppler ultrasound(USG) findings, and complications, along with 30-day mortality, and 1-year survival were reported for both groups. The mean age of patients in the SA group was 42.80±7.510 and in the HA group was 43.73±8.171 years. The common indication of LDLT was viral hepatitis in both groups. The operative duration was longer in the SA group (597.50±41.3156 min) than in the HA group (530.75±66.502 min) with a significant p-value= 0.004. Similarly, blood loss was also more in the SA group (1635±226.139 ml) than in the HA group (1477.50±270.316 ml) (p-value= 0.096). The incidence of biliary and vascular complications, early allograft dysfunction, acute cellular rejection, 30-day mortality, and 1-year survival were comparable in both groups. Post-operatively splenectomy was not needed in any SA group recipients. The SA is easily approachable, suitable, and safe for HAR in the difficult situation of hepatic arterial flow inadequacy during LDLT due to its appropriate length, and good blood flow.

Using 3D Microscope for Hepatic Artery Reconstruction in Living Donor Liver Transplant.

Introduction: This study compares the intraoperative process of hepatic artery anastomosis using conventional microscope and novel 3D digital microscope and discusses our technique and operative set-up. Method: A retrospective comparative cohort study with 46 hepatic artery reconstructions in living donor liver transplant patients. Either an operational microscope (control group) or a 3D digital microscope Mitaka Kestrel View II (study group) was used for hepatic artery anastomosis. We then discuss and share our institution’s experience of improving surgical training. Results: Both operation instruments provide effective and comparable results. There was no statistical difference regarding operational objective results between conventional microscope and exoscope. Both instruments have no hepatic artery size limit, and both resulted in complete vessel patency rate. Conclusions: There was no statistical differences regarding hepatic artery anastomosis between microscope and exoscope cohorts. Microsurgeons should perform hepatic artery anastomosis efficiently with the instruments they are most proficient with. Yet, exoscope provided better ergonomics in the operation room and lessened musculoskeletal strain, allowing surgeons to work in a more neutral and comfortable posture while allowing the first assistant to learn and assist more effectively. Using exoscope with micro-forceps and modified tie technique make artery reconstruction easier.