Alternative methods of arterialization of the hepatic graft.

During the course of performing 123 consecutive orthotopic liver transplantations in a two year period, a total of 220 livers were encountered (123 donors and 97 recipient organs), 24 of which had inadequacies or anomalies of hepatic arterial supply which required modifications of the basic techniques of arterial reconstruction. The various methods used to deal with these various situations are described herein. The use of vessel grafts from the donor has proved quite satisfactory over a number of years. The routine procurement of various vessel grafts can provide a multiplicity of options for arterial reconstruction, only a few of which have been mentioned herein.