Outflow reconstruction of left lateral graft with two widely spaced hepatic veins in pediatric living donor liver transplantation.

Background: Living donor liver transplantation using the left lateral segment of the liver is the most common type of pediatric liver transplantation. An appropriate surgical approach is crucial for decreasing the risk of vascular complications using these grafts with anatomical variations.

Methods: Between January 2017 and December 2020, 631 living donor liver transplantations using left lateral segment grafts were performed at Tianjin First Central Hospital. The grafts from 162 (25.7%) donors have 2 hepatic vein openings. A total number of 21 transplantations using left lateral segment grafts with 2 widely spaced hepatic vein openings were performed. In group 1, the unification venoplasty technique with interposition vein graft was used at the back table for the reconstruction of hepatic vein from grafts. In group 2, dual hepatic vein reconstructions were performed, in which venoplasty of recipients' left hepatic vein, middle hepatic vein, and inferior vena cava was performed to create a large orifice for anastomosis with segment Ⅱ hepatic vein from the graft. Segment III hepatic vein from the graft was anastomosed with the recipient's right hepatic vein. The incidence, treatment, and outcomes of hepatic venous outflow obstruction were compared between the 2 groups.

Results: The median follow-up time was 12.8 months. There was no significant difference in the incidence of hepatic venous outflow obstruction between the 2 groups.

Conclusion: Dual hepatic vein reconstruction is an alternate surgical option for grafts with 2 widely spaced hepatic veins, and it is associated with ideal graft recovery and vascular condition. However, long-term follow-up is still needed to verify the efficacy and safety of this approach.