ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Chirurgia 2021 December;34(6):251-3

DOI: 10.23736/S0394-9508.20.05219-5

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Long-term outcomes of hepatic artery reconstruction using right gastroepiploic artery on biliary complications

Selim KECEOGLU ¹, Ali OZER ¹ ✉, Hikmet AKTAS ¹, Isil YİLDİZ ², Remzi EMİROGLU ¹

¹ Department of Organ Transplantation, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Turkey; ² Department of Interventional Radiology, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Turkey

BACKGROUND: Obtaining sufficient hepatic artery inflow is essential in living donor liver transplantation. However, using recipient’s hepatic artery is not proper in some circumstances. Right gastroepiploic artery is the most preferred source for extra-anatomic hepatic artery reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation. Evaluating long-term outcomes including biliary complications in related with hepatic artery anastomosis using right gastrepiploic artery is aimed in this study. It is necessary to determine the prognosis for these patients.
METHODS: The data and outcomes of patients who were performed extra-anatomical hepatic artery reconstruction were assessed retrospectively and compared with patients underwent anatomical hepatic artery anastomosis. Hepatic artery reconstruction was performed using right gastroepiploic artery in nine patients. During the study period 335 patients underwent anatomic hepatic artery anastomosis. Hepatic artery and biliary complications were compared.
RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 28.1 months (range: 12-51). One patient experienced hepatic artery complication (1/9, 11.1%). This rate was 1.8% in anatomical group. Biliary complication rates for patients underwent right gastroepiploic artery anastomosis and anatomical hepatic artery reconstruction were 22.2% and 17.3%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Ensuring hepatic inflow is essential in liver transplantation. As may be required, right gastroepiploic artery may be used for hepatic artery reconstruction with satisfying long term outcomes.

KEY WORDS: Gastroepiploic artery; Hepatic artery; Liver transplantation