PURPOSE: Various approaches to portal vein (PV) reconstruction have been described; however, there is still scope to improve the safety and efficiency of how PV anastomosis is performed in infants. METHODS: We analyzed, retrospectively, the predictive factors for PV reanastomosis during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in 117 infants (< 1 year old) with biliary atresia (BA). RESULTS: Twenty-six infants required PV reanastomosis because of intraoperative PV thrombosis in 21 and insufficient PV flow in 5. Univariate analysis identified multiple previous laparotomies and a prolonged anhepatic phase (AHP) as significant risk factors for repeated PV anastomosis. The AHP cutoff value for identifying patients requiring PV reanastomosis was 134 min. Multivariate analysis revealed prolonged AHP > 134 min (odds ratio, 15.98; 95% confidence interval, 5.05-50.6; P < 0.001) as an independent risk factor for repeated PV anastomosis. The plasma D-dimer and fibrinogen degradation product concentration just after reperfusion were significantly higher in patients requiring PV reanastomosis (P < 0.001). Patients requiring reanastomosis of the PV had a higher incidence of PV complications after LDLT than those who did not need PV reanastomosis (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Attempting to minimize the AHP is indispensable for successful LDLT in infants with BA.
PURPOSE: Various approaches to portal vein (PV) reconstruction have been described; however, there is still scope to improve the safety and efficiency of how PV anastomosis is performed in infants. METHODS: We analyzed, retrospectively, the predictive factors for PV reanastomosis during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in 117 infants (< 1 year old) with biliary atresia (BA). RESULTS: Twenty-six infants required PV reanastomosis because of intraoperative PV thrombosis in 21 and insufficient PV flow in 5. Univariate analysis identified multiple previous laparotomies and a prolonged anhepatic phase (AHP) as significant risk factors for repeated PV anastomosis. The AHP cutoff value for identifying patients requiring PV reanastomosis was 134 min. Multivariate analysis revealed prolonged AHP > 134 min (odds ratio, 15.98; 95% confidence interval, 5.05-50.6; P < 0.001) as an independent risk factor for repeated PV anastomosis. The plasma D-dimer and fibrinogen degradation product concentration just after reperfusion were significantly higher in patients requiring PV reanastomosis (P < 0.001). Patients requiring reanastomosis of the PV had a higher incidence of PV complications after LDLT than those who did not need PV reanastomosis (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Attempting to minimize the AHP is indispensable for successful LDLT in infants with BA.