title: Collaboration with microsurgery prevents arterial complications and provides superior success in partial liver transplantation.
abstract: Hepatic artery thrombosis is the most common technical complication in liver transplantation. The objective of this study was to investigate the arterial complications of partial liver transplantation using microsurgical technique. At a period of 31-months, we participated in a total of 42 right lobes, 7 left lobes, and 1 whole-liver liver transplantations from cadaveric (n = 20) or living (n = 30) donors. Hepatic artery anastomosis was performed using microsurgical techniques. All anastomoses were accomplished successfully. Fifteen patients expired postoperatively and 35 hepatic artery anastomoses remained patent at a mean follow-up period of 10.6 +/- 8.4 months. The mean diameters of the donor and recipient hepatic arteries were 2.9 +/- 1.2 mm and 3.2 +/- 1.1 mm, respectively. Specific technical challenges were encountered during operation in eight cases (16%). We have found that microsurgical techniques are not only useful for a superior anastomosis but also reliable to adapt to vascular anomalies with less arterial complications. complications.
authors.affiliation: Depatment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung Medical College, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Betul Gozel
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Ulusal
authors.forename: Ming-Huei
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Ali Engin
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Ulusal
authors.forename: Wei-Chen
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Fu-Chan
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods