Portal Vein Reconstruction Research Articles

Risk Factors and Management of Portal Vein Thrombosis after Hepatectomy: A Single-Center Experience

Objective: This study investigated the risk factors and management of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after hepatectomy. Background: PVT after hepatectomy can cause liver dysfunction and portal hypertension, and may be fatal. However, it has not been sufficiently investigated. Methods: The study included 1403 consecutive patients who underwent elective hepatectomy at our department from January 2010 to July 2022. The patients were divided into PVT and non-PVT groups based on the presence or absence of PVT, and relevant risk factors were analyzed. The management and prognosis of patients with PVT were investigated. Results: Among the 1403 patients, PVT occurred in 33 cases, giving a frequency of 2.4%. In univariate analyses, female sex (P = 0.03), portal vein reconstruction (P = 0.01), and left lateral sectionectomy (P < 0.001) were significant risk factors for PVT. On multivariate analysis, portal vein reconstruction (P = 0.01) and left lateral segmentectomy (P < 0.001) remained significant risk factors for PVT. The management options for PVT were thrombectomy, antithrombotic therapy, and observation. With antithrombotic therapy, 96.4% of patients achieved PVT resolution. Among patients who underwent hepatectomy with portal vein reconstruction, the PVT site was the main trunk of the portal vein in all 3 cases, and thrombectomy was performed in 2 cases. No perioperative mortality was observed. Conclusions: In the present study, portal vein reconstruction and left lateral sectionectomy were identified as risk factors for PVT after hepatectomy. As PVT can be fatal, early detection and appropriate treatment according to the status of PVT are important.

Thrombosis and anticoagulation after portal vein reconstruction during pancreatic surgery – A systematic review

ObjectiveTo comprehensively assess thrombotic events and their clinical impact in patients receiving pancreatic surgery with venous resection and reconstruction. BackgroundPortal vein (PV, including the portal vein and superior mesenteric vein) resection and reconstruction enables surgical removal of borderline-resectable and locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Thrombosis of the reconstructed PV represents a major source of early postoperative and long-term morbidity and mortality. No universally accepted standard for anticoagulation exists. Here, we aimed to assess early and late thrombosis rates after PV reconstruction with special regard to type of PV reconstruction as well as anticoagulation regimen. MethodsPRISMA guidelines were followed. Studies reporting on PV resection and reconstruction providing data on thrombosis rates were included. The following parameters were assessed: Study type, year of publication, number of patients, type/number of PV reconstruction, follow-up period, postoperative mortality, rate of thrombosis of reconstructed PV axis, intraoperative blood loss, and anticoagulation. Results23 studies with 2751 patients were included in the final analysis. 670 patients received tangential resection of the PV with venorrhaphy or patch repair, 1505 patients had segmental resection with end-to-end reconstruction, and 576 patients received reconstruction with an interposition graft/conduit. The pooled overall thrombosis rate was 15%. Reconstruction of tangential defects with either venorrhaphy or patch repair as well as end-to-end repair of segmental defects resulted in a thrombosis rate of 12%. Subgroup analysis according to the type of graft reconstruction revealed the highest occlusion rates of 55% in patients with allogeneic grafts, followed by up to 27% in patients with synthetic PV conduits. Autologous conduits had a thrombosis rate of 10%. Early thrombotic events were detected in 5% of patients after venorrhaphy/patch reconstruction and end-to-end reconstruction. Early events were most common in the allogeneic graft subgroup (22%), followed by synthetic conduits (15%). There were fewer early events in the autologous graft group (7%). Early PV thrombosis was associated with relevant mortality of up to 26%. Anticoagulation regimens varied between studies. ConclusionThe overall rate of thrombosis after portal vein resection is low. However, among different reconstruction techniques, allogeneic interposition grafts/conduits had the highest thrombosis rates among the different types of reconstruction after PV resection. No specific anticoagulation strategy can be considered beneficial on the basis of the existing literature. Mini-AbstractThrombosis of the reconstructed portal vein (PV) after PV resection in pancreatic surgery represents a relevant source of major morbidity and mortality. In this systematic review, while we observed an overall low thrombosis rate following PV resection, reconstruction with allogeneic grafts harbors the highest risk of postoperative thrombosis. Early thrombosis was most common after reconstruction with allogeneic grafts and associated with postoperative mortality. Anticoagulation strategies vary greatly among different studies.

Pancreatoduodenectomy after Ivor-Lewis Santi oesophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction. An European multicentre experience

BackgroundPancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the standard surgery to treat tumors and other conditions affecting the head of the pancreas. PD involves the division of the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) and its branches, to allow for complete dissection of lymph nodes. However, PD in patients with prior esophageal resection presents challenges due to altered anatomy and risks compromising gastric tube vascularization. GDA preservation becomes crucial to avoid ischemia, although this may pose oncological risks by potentially leaving behind regional lymph nodes. This article reviews European surgical center experiences and techniques for PD in patients with prior esophageal surgery, focusing on short-term outcomes. MethodsWe have collected all the experiences carried out in European surgical centers and evaluated the techniques applied for PD in patients who had prior esophageal surgery while analyzing short-term outcomes. ResultsEight patients from 5 European centers were identified. Six patients were diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, including one borderline case. Intraoperatively, the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) was preserved in all cases, with portal vein reconstruction required in only one instance due to tumor invasion. No ischemia or venous congestion of the gastric tube was observed during the surgical procedure. Post-operative complications that occurred included POPF type C in 1 (12.5 %), PPH type C in 1 (12.5 %). The median number of harvested lymph nodes was 21 [14–24]. with a median of 1.5 positive lymph nodes. R1 resection was present in 62.5 % of cases. ConclusionPerforming pancreaticoduodenectomy subsequent to Ivor Lewis esophagectomy is a technical challenge, but seems feasiable and safe in selected patients. GDA-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy emerges as a valuable and time-efficient variation of the conventional procedure, it can be considered oncologically appropriate, but studies confirming its long-term impact on radicality are still needed.

A case of resected anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas producing granulocyte-colony stimulating factor with literature review

BackgroundGranulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-producing tumors have been reported in various organs, and the prognosis of patients with G-CSF-producing pancreatic cancers is particularly dismal. In this report, we present a case of G-CSF-producing anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas (ACP), characterized by early postoperative recurrence and rapid, uncontrolled growth.Case presentationA 74-year-old man presented to our hospital with complaints of abdominal fullness and pain after eating. On admission, it was observed that the peripheral leukocyte counts and serum G-CSF levels were significantly elevated (23,770/µL and 251 pg/mL, respectively). Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a pancreatic head tumor involving the superior mesenteric vein. Pathologically, ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration confirmed ACP. Subsequently, we performed a subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy with portal vein reconstruction and partial transverse colon resection. On postoperative day (POD) 7, the leukocyte count decreased from 21,180/μL to 8490/μL; moreover, computed tomography revealed liver metastasis. Therefore, mFOLFILINOX chemotherapy was initiated on POD 30. However, the tumor exhibited rapid progression, and the patient died on POD 45.ConclusionsG-CSF-producing ACP is rare, and the prognosis of patients is extremely poor. Basic research is required to develop effective drugs against G-CSF-producing tumors, and large-scale studies using national databases are needed to develop multidisciplinary treatment methods.

Transplantation techniques for liver resections in children

Aim. To carry out a retrospective analysis of the treatment outcomes of the patients who underwent liver resection with angioplasty facilitated by transplantation techniques. Materials and methods. The sample of cases was divided into four groups: liver resection with total vascular isolation of the liver, ante situm liver resection, hepatic artery and portal vein reconstruction, cardiopulmonary bypass resection. The analysis was focused on surgery features and treatment outcomes. Results. The study involved 29 patients. The performed interventions included 11 liver resections with total vascular isolation, 6 ante situm liver resections, 7 resections with angioplasty, and 5 cardiopulmonary bypass resections. 5 patients (17 %) developed complications that required reoperation. Within 90 days, 4 patients (14 %) died. For patients with malignant neoplasms, one-, three-, and five-year overall survival rates accounted for 84.4 %, 58.4 %, and 51.1 %; one-year event-free survival rate comprised 57.1 %, and three- and five-year event-free survival was 41.7 %.The study revealed no significant differences in the complication rates. The groups of ante situm liver resections and cardiopulmonary bypass resections significantly differed from the other groups by the higher incidence of tumor progression, invasion of adjacent organs, hemorrhagic complications, preoperative stay, and duration of cold perfusion of the liver. The cardiopulmonary bypass resections were noted to have higher duration of surgery, vascular isolation, heparin use, and the frequency of anticoagulant therapy before surgery. Conclusion. Liver resections with total vascular isolation, angioplasty and transplantation techniques are considered as the only possible treatment option for a number of patients. Further accumulation of results will reduce the risk of adverse outcomes.

Temporary mesenteric venous shunting for portal vein reconstruction: A novel technical adjunct

Pancreatic resection not infrequently requires portal vein (PV) repair or replacement. PV reconstruction often requires bypass grafting or patch venoplasty, and these grafts and patches require time to thaw or harvest. Mesenteric ischemia and congestion with associated bowel edema may result from prolonged venous occlusion during thawing, harvesting, and reconstructing. Temporary shunting of the mesenteric venous circulation may mitigate these adverse effects. Twenty-one patients were shunted using Argyle shunts during PV reconstruction from 2010 to 2020. Reconstructions in this series consisted of aortic homograft interposition grafts (52%), bovine pericardial patches (38%), internal jugular vein interposition grafts (5%), and internal jugular patches (5%). No intraoperative complications resulted from shunt placement; technical success of PV reconstruction was 100%. Temporary venous shunting during PV reconstruction is safe, technically straightforward, and may serve to decrease the duration of venous mesenteric occlusion.

Risk factors for post-operative portal vein stenosis in pediatric liver transplantation: a single center case-control study.

The incidence of post-transplant poral vein stenosis (PVS) is higher in pediatric liver transplantation, probably resulting from various portal vein (PV) reconstruction methods or other factors. 332 patients less than 12 years old when receiving liver transplantation (LT) were enrolled in this research. Portal vein reconstruction methods include anastomosis to the left side of the recipient PV trunk (type 1, n = 170), to the recipient left and right PV branch patch (type 2, n = 79), using vein graft interposition (type 3, n = 32), or end-to-end PV anastomosis (type 4, n = 50). The incidence of PVS was analyzed in terms to different PV reconstruction methods and other possible risk factors. PVS occurred in 35 (10.5%) patients. Of the 32 patients using vein graft, 20 patients received a cryopreserved vein graft, 11 (55%) developed PVS, while the remaining 12 patients received a fresh iliac vein for PV interposition and none of them developed PVS. 9 patients whose liver donor was under 12 years old developed PVS, with an incidence of 18.8%. Cryopreserved vein graft interposition and a liver donor under 12 are independent risk factors for PVS in pediatric LT.

Retro-pancreatic pull-through reconstruction of the hypoplastic portal vein using the autologous mesosystemic shunt vessel in adult living donor liver transplantation: a case report

BackgroundIn liver transplant patients with hypoplastic portal vein (PV), when the narrowed segment is extended too deep into the dorsal side of the pancreas, it is difficult and dangerous to reconstruct the interposition graft from the upper part of the pancreas. Herein, we present a case of PV reconstruction with the autologous mesosystemic shunt vessel from the caudal side of the pancreas in a situation where the narrowed PV was deep, and we discuss the technical details.Case presentationA 25-year-old woman presented with cholestatic liver cirrhosis due to biliary atresia after Kasai procedure. Since her jaundice progressed, she was referred to our hospital for liver transplantation. Laboratory tests showed that her total bilirubin was elevated to 7.6 mg/dL. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was 18, and the Child–Pugh score was 9 (Grade B). She underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using a right hemi-liver graft procured from her 54-year-old mother. The conventional approach from the cephalad side to the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and splenic vein (SpV) confluence behind the pancreas was extremely difficult in this case because the confluence of SMV and SpV was close to the lower edge of the pancreas. Therefore, we decided to perform PV reconstruction from the caudal side. The main trunk of PV was documented as narrow (5 mm in diameter), for which retro-pancreatic pull-through PV reconstruction was successfully performed using her own mesosystemic shunt vessel. A contrast computed tomography (CT) scan was performed on postoperative day 5 because of an elevation of D-dimer and found a partial thrombus in the left pulmonary artery, as well as in the PV and left renal vein. Thereafter, thrombolytic therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin was started immediately and switched to a direct oral anticoagulant. The follow-up CT taken 3 months after liver transplantation revealed a patent PV without thrombus; therefore, anticoagulant therapy was discontinued. Currently, the patient has been well and active with a patent PV without anticoagulant therapy for 3 years after LDLT.ConclusionsRetro-pancreatic pull-through reconstruction of the hypoplastic PV is a feasible and effective method when conventional reconstruction is not indicated.

Bleeding Ectopic Varices at Hepaticojejunostomy site after Portal Vein Reconstruction managed by Emergency Proximal Splenorenal Shunt – A case report

Bleeding Ectopic Varices at Hepaticojejunostomy site after Portal Vein Reconstruction managed by Emergency Proximal Splenorenal Shunt – A case report

Successful direct intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (DIPS) creation following transmesenteric porta hepatis access in a young patient with recurrent variceal bleeding

BackgroundTransmesenteric access for portal vein reconstruction and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt allows for intervention in patients with unfavorable anatomy and can be performed via multiple methods but may be difficult to obtain in patients with complex anatomy.Case presentationWe present a case report describing a method of obtaining transmesenteric access in the porta hepatis to facilitate direct intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation in a young patient with recurrent variceal bleeding. This patient anatomy was unfavorable, and initially he was thought to be a poor candidate for any intervention, but this technique allowed for successful decompression of the varices safely and effectively.ConclusionsThis is a technique to consider in similar complex cases and expands treatment for those who previously would not have been considered for intrahepatic shunt formation.Graphical

Blood flow reconstruction in portal vein anatomical variations in right lobe living donor liver transplantation

Background. Adequate restoration of blood flow through the portal vein in the graft is only possible with a clear understanding of its anatomy in the donor.The aim was to describe new and extend current data on the portal vein anatomy in a donor of the right liver lobe, to describe variants and formulate principles of portal reconstruction in right lobe living donor liver transplantation.Material and methods. 306 living donor liver transplantations were performed from 2009 to 2021 in the State Research Center – Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center of Federal Medical Biological Agency. The vascular anatomy of 518 potential donors was analyzed. Portal vein variants of the anatomy of right lobe graft were assessed.Results. Nine types and 3 subtypes of portal vein branching were evaluated. A, B, C, D, E types match the types described earlier in Nakamura classification. Subtypes B1, B2 и D1 are specifications of types B and D. Types F, G, H, I have been described additionally. The incidence of types and subtypes where reconstruction was made: type A (82%), B (4.6%), B1 (3.9%), B2 (1.3%), C (3.9%), D (3.9%). The incidence of E, G, H, I types among 518 potential donors was 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.2%, 0.4%, respectively. The recipient portal vein complications were detected in 12 cases (3.9%), where 3(25%) were Class 3b according to Clavien-Dindo and 9(75%) of Clavien-Dindo Class 2. There were no correlations between portal vein complications and the method of portal vein reconstruction. (p<0.05). No complications occurred with portal vein in donors.Conclusion. The existing classification of right liver graft portal vein has been updated and detailed. A certain way of reconstruction has been proposed for each portal vein type. Anatomical types in which donation and transplantation are contraindicated have been specified.

Vascular Reconstruction with the Cuff Technique in Mouse Orthotopic Liver Transplantation.

Mouse orthotopic liver transplantation is an effective methodology for investigating the underlying mechanisms of liver ischemia and reperfusion injury. However, the technical challenges pose a barrier to utilizing this valuable experimental model and passing on these skills to the next generation. The most challenging aspect of this procedure is vascular reconstruction, including the portal vein (PV), infrahepatic inferior vena cava (IHIVC), and suprahepatic inferior vena cava. The use of plastic cuffs, rather than sutures, allows for smoother PV and IHIVC reconstruction. Vessels are reconstructed by attaching a cuff made from an intravenous catheter to the tip of the graft vessel and interposing the cuff into the recipient vessel. The two most crucial aspects are properly visualizing the inner lumen of the vessel and avoiding the use of excessive force. Our aim is to provide a technical overview of vascular reconstructions using the cuff technique in recipient surgery. These technical tips for the cuff technique are expected to help microsurgeons facilitate vascular reconstruction and advance their research.

Extended pancreatoduodenectomy with portal vein and inferior vena cava resection and reconstruction combined with sorafenib for hepatoid carcinoma of the pancreas: a strategy of superextended surgery combined with targeted therapy.

Extended pancreatoduodenectomy with portal vein and inferior vena cava resection and reconstruction combined with sorafenib for hepatoid carcinoma of the pancreas: a strategy of superextended surgery combined with targeted therapy.

Portal vein pressure and flow modulation in pediatric liver transplantation.

Liver transplantation (LT) has been indicated for smaller and more clinically severe patients in recent years. Small biliary atresia (BA) patients often show portal hypoplasia and sclerotic portal vein (PV), which may make PV reconstruction more difficult during the operation. Among PV complications, intraoperative PV thrombosis can be considered a disaster, and it is important to prevent this catastrophic event by the precise assessment of the PV structure and PVF using radiological imaging before and during LT. However, there are no objective parameters to indicate whether sufficient PVF can be obtained. PV pressure (PVP) and PV flow (PVF) have mainly been studied in adult living donor LT, for the purpose of preventing small-for-size syndrome, and PVP has been considered an objective parameter of graft inflow modulation (GIM). In the setting of pediatric LT, GIM is mainly performed to prevent hypoperfusion, and it must be performed before graft implantation. GIM to maximize the PVF of pediatric patients with potentially low PVF in LT consists of the interruption of collateral vessels, the assessment of the usability of the native PV, and technical modifications in PV reconstruction. Reliable objective parameters that represent sufficient PVF before graft implantation are desired. Our recent study proposed that a PVP of ≥25 mmHg before graft implantation can be considered an objective parameter to obtain sufficient PVF (cutoff value: 50 mL/min/100 g of graft weight). Further investigation is needed to determine the best strategy for successful PV reconstruction in pediatric LT.

Technical Outcomes of Porto-Mesenteric Venous Reconstruction in Pancreatic Resection Using Autologous Left Renal Vein Graft as Conduit.

Portal or superior mesenteric vein (PV-SMV) resection and reconstruction is sometimes required during pancreatic tumor resection. In patients requiring segmental venous resection with interposition grafting, the left renal vein (LRV) is an accessible autologous solution. However, long-term patency outcomes of the LRV as an interposition conduit in this setting have not been analyzed. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing pancreatic resection with PV-SMV reconstruction using LRV between 2002 and 2022. The primary outcome was PV-SMV patency at last follow-up, assessed with postoperative CT scans and analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival methods that account for variation in follow-up duration. Development of any postoperative acute kidney injury within 7 days of surgery and morbidity were secondary outcomes. The study cohort includes 65 patients who underwent LRV harvest; 60 (92%) ultimately underwent successful reconstruction with harvested LRV graft. Kaplan-Meier 2-year estimated patency rate of the LRV graft was 88%, with no cases of complete occlusion. Six (10%) patients experienced graft stenosis. Nine of 61 (15%) patients experienced grade II or III acute kidney injury, 6 of 9 returning to normal renal function before discharge. No difference in median serum creatinine was observed at baseline, 6 and 12 months from surgery. LRV remnant thrombosis was seen in 7 of 65 (11%) patients. Only 3 of 61 (5%) patients had persistent acute kidney injury caused by complications unrelated to LRV harvesting. Autologous LRV graft was a reliable conduit for segmental PV-SMV reconstruction, resulting in a high patency rate and marginal impact on renal function. LRV harvest is a safe and potentially ideal surgical option for PV-SMV reconstruction in pancreatic surgery.

Portal vein reconstruction in pediatric liver transplantation using end-to-side jump graft: A case report

Portal vein reconstruction in pediatric liver transplantation using end-to-side jump graft: A case report

Technical characteristics and results of portal vein reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation using right lobe graft

Technical characteristics and results of portal vein reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation using right lobe graft

Surgical treatment of the perihilar cholangiocarcinoma with portal vein invasion

Background. Perichilar cholangiocarcinoma is a rare type of malignant neoplasm and is 3-7 cases per 100,000 population. Surgical method is the only radical method of treatment, allowing to improve long-term survival results. One of the important and characteristic features of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma is tumor invasion to the area of the portal vein bifurcation, which occurs in 30–45% of cases. Portal vein invasion is the one of the main causes of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma irresectability. However, innovative surgical technologies allow resection of the liver with resection and reconstruction of the portal vein with acceptable mortality.
 The aim. The aim of our study was to asses results of surgical treatment of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma with (Group 1) and without (Group 2) portal vein invasion.
 Materials and methods. From 2003 to January 2023 in the Department of Surgery and Liver Transplantation of the Ukrainian National Institute of Surgery and Transplantation, 208 patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent major extended liver resections. We compared 93 (46%) patients who received extended liver resection with portal vein resection (Group 1) with 115 (54%) patients who underwent liver resections without vascular reconstructions (Group 2). The average Ca 19–9 in the group 1 was 288 (8 – 1000) U/ml, in the group 2 –262 (10 – 612) U/ml. The level of total bilirubin in patients of the group 1 was 312 (43 – 621) mcmol/l, in the group 2 – 267 (10 – 612) mcmol/l. In view of this, in the preoperative period, 190 (91,3%) patients underwent decompression of the bile ducts, using percutaneous transhepatic cholangiostomy (PTBD) or retrograde endobiliary stenting. For patients with small remnant liver volume less than 40 %, in 80(38,5%) cases we did preoperative PVE of a resected part of the liver. In 9 cases we made simultaneous PVE and PTBD. When choosing the volume of surgical intervention, we proceeded from the tumor type of Bismuth-Corlette classification, invasion into the portal vessels and the depth of the liver lesion. The portal vein reconstruction was in all cases performed in an “end-to-end”. In all cases we made extended lymphadenectomy.
 Results. All complications were classified according to the Dindo-Clavien classification. Postoperative mortality in the main group was 11.5%. The overall 1, 3, 5-year survival in the group 1 was 96%, 68,3%, 57,4%, respectively. 1, 3, 5-year survival rate in the comparison group 2 was 98,4%, 76,7%, 47,3%, respectively.
 Conclusions. Aggressive tactics of surgical treatment of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma provides maximum radicality, allows to increase resectability in case of tumor invasion of the portal vein with acceptable mortality and long-term survival.

Ligamentum teres hepatis as a graft for portal and/or superior mesenteric vein reconstruction: From bench to bedside

Ligamentum teres hepatis as a graft for portal and/or superior mesenteric vein reconstruction: From bench to bedside

Application Effectiveness of Segment IV Portal Vein Reconstruction for Early Postoperative Liver Function Recovery in Split Liver Transplantation.

The objective of this study was to investigate the significance of portal vein reconstruction in segment IV of the liver on early postoperative liver function recovery in split liver transplantation. The clinical data of patients of right trilobe split liver transplantation in our center were analyzed and divided into two groups, including a group without portal vein reconstruction and a group with portal vein reconstruction. Clinical data of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), albumin (ALB), creatinine (Cr), total bilirubin (TB), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT), lactic acid (Lac), and international normalized ratio (INR) levels were analyzed. The technique of segment IV portal vein reconstruction is beneficial to the early postoperative recovery of liver function. Statistically, there was no significant effect of portal vein reconstruction in the IV segment of the liver on the recovery of liver function within 1 week after split liver transplantation. There was no significant difference in survival rate between the control group and reconstruction group over the 6months follow-up period after surgery.