OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experience in modified reconstruction of the hepatic outflow tract during piggyback liver transplantation at our hospital. METHODS: The clinical data on 67 patients undergoing piggyback liver transplantation with modified hepatic outflow tract reconstruction from January 1999 to October 2002 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: In this group, 7 patients (10.45%) died perioperatively. Complications included: pulmonary infection (38 patients); multiple organ system failure (10), intraperitoneal bleeding (6), acute respiratory distress syndrome (14), thrombosis of the hepatic artery (1), and bile leakage (1). No hepatic outflow occluded. Two recipients survived for over 3 years, 8 over 2 years, and 19 over a year. CONCLUSION: Modified hepatic outflow reconstruction in piggyback liver transplantation may increase the success rate of liver transplantation and decrease technical complications.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experience in modified reconstruction of the hepatic outflow tract during piggyback liver transplantation at our hospital. METHODS: The clinical data on 67 patients undergoing piggyback liver transplantation with modified hepatic outflow tract reconstruction from January 1999 to October 2002 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: In this group, 7 patients (10.45%) died perioperatively. Complications included: pulmonary infection (38 patients); multiple organ system failure (10), intraperitoneal bleeding (6), acute respiratory distress syndrome (14), thrombosis of the hepatic artery (1), and bile leakage (1). No hepatic outflow occluded. Two recipients survived for over 3 years, 8 over 2 years, and 19 over a year. CONCLUSION: Modified hepatic outflow reconstruction in piggyback liver transplantation may increase the success rate of liver transplantation and decrease technical complications.