AIM: To evaluate the vessel grafts (VG) used to reconstruct the middle hepatic vein (MHV) tributaries with ultrasonography. METHODS: Twenty-four patients undergone living donor liver transplantation were enrolled in our study. MHV tributaries larger than 5 mm in diameter were reconstructed with interposition VG. Blood flow of the graft and interposition VG was checked by Doppler ultrasonography daily in the first 2 postoperative weeks and monthly followed up after discharge. The sensitivity of VG detected by ultrasonography was assessed using surgical records as references. Student's t test was used to compare the velocity of VG and occluded VG in chronic patents (> 3 mo). RESULTS: Thirty-one VG were used to reconstruct the MHV tributaries. Ultrasonography identified 96.7% (30/31) of large MHV tributaries and 90.3% (28/31) of VG. The diameter of VG was 5.6 +/- 0.8 mm and the velocity of VG was 19.7 +/- 8.1 cm/s. Two VG (2/31, 6.5%) were occluded on the first postoperative day in one patient who suffered from persistent ascites and had a prolonged recovery of liver function. Twenty-six VG (26/31, 83.9%) were patent 2 wk after operation. Six (6/31, 19.4%) VG were patent over 3 mo after operation. Intrahepatic venous collaterals were detected in 29.2% (7/24) patients. The velocity of VG and occluded VG was 30.1 +/- 5.6 cm/s, 16.5 +/- 5.8 cm/s, respectively, in chronic patents. The difference between two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that most VG are patent in the first postoperative week while only a small portion with a higher velocity remains patent after 3 mo. Intrahepatic venous collaterals can be observed in some patients after occlusion of VG.
AIM: To evaluate the vessel grafts (VG) used to reconstruct the middle hepatic vein (MHV) tributaries with ultrasonography. METHODS: Twenty-four patients undergone living donor liver transplantation were enrolled in our study. MHV tributaries larger than 5 mm in diameter were reconstructed with interposition VG. Blood flow of the graft and interposition VG was checked by Doppler ultrasonography daily in the first 2 postoperative weeks and monthly followed up after discharge. The sensitivity of VG detected by ultrasonography was assessed using surgical records as references. Student's t test was used to compare the velocity of VG and occluded VG in chronic patents (> 3 mo). RESULTS: Thirty-one VG were used to reconstruct the MHV tributaries. Ultrasonography identified 96.7% (30/31) of large MHV tributaries and 90.3% (28/31) of VG. The diameter of VG was 5.6 +/- 0.8 mm and the velocity of VG was 19.7 +/- 8.1 cm/s. Two VG (2/31, 6.5%) were occluded on the first postoperative day in one patient who suffered from persistent ascites and had a prolonged recovery of liver function. Twenty-six VG (26/31, 83.9%) were patent 2 wk after operation. Six (6/31, 19.4%) VG were patent over 3 mo after operation. Intrahepatic venous collaterals were detected in 29.2% (7/24) patients. The velocity of VG and occluded VG was 30.1 +/- 5.6 cm/s, 16.5 +/- 5.8 cm/s, respectively, in chronic patents. The difference between two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that most VG are patent in the first postoperative week while only a small portion with a higher velocity remains patent after 3 mo. Intrahepatic venous collaterals can be observed in some patients after occlusion of VG.
Authors: Sung Gyu Lee; Kwang Min Park; Shin Hwang; Ki Hun Kim; Dong Nak Choi; Sun Hyung Joo; Chul Soo Anh; Yang Won Nah; Jang Yeong Jeon; Sang Hoon Park; Kyung Suck Koh; Sang Hoon Han; Kyu Taek Choi; Kyu Sam Hwang; Yasuhiko Sugawara; Masatoshi Makuuchi; Pyung Chul Min Journal: Transplantation Date: 2002-07-15 Impact factor: 4.939