A complication associated with the use of neonatal liver in orthotopic liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Neonatal livers have been associated with a higher incidence of vascular complications but are nevertheless used because of donor shortage.


OBJECTIVE
We report a complication of hepatic venous outflow obstruction because we retained the neonatal retrohepatic cava from the first transplant for retransplantation using a left lateral segment.


METHODS
Technical and post-operative complications associated with a small "native" inferior cava and transplantation are described.


RESULTS
Successful treatment with balloon angioplasty resulted in re-establishing the flow in the hepatic venous outflow tract. The child is well 3 years on with stable graft function.


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is an effective non-surgical therapy for post liver transplant hepatic venous outflow obstruction. Replacement of the inferior venacava rather than retaining neonatal venacava may be a better option during retransplantation.
Srinivasan
P
P
Institute of Liver Studies, Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, Camberwell, London SE5 9RS.
Karani
J
J
Heaton
N
N
Rela
M
M
D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology*; D001656:Biliary Atresia / Q000601:surgery*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008102:Liver Circulation; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000473:pathology*