Transplant Technique
Left portal vein anastomosis for left lateral liver lobe segment graft
Technique Description
- During living donor liver transplantation for a left lateral segment liver graft, proper orientation of the left portal vein anastomosis is critical to achieve the best outcome.
- This video will demonstrate the technique for a left portal vein anastomosis for a living donor left lateral segment liver graft implantation into a pediatric recipient.
Key Points
- The anastomosis will be completed with a running suture on the back wall, and interrupted stitches on the front wall.
- Redundancy is permitted to prevent kinking and twisting when the graft is oriented in its final resting position.
- The posterior wall will be reconstructed with a running suture of 6-0 prolene.
- Upon completion, the runnning suture will be left loose rather than tightened down, to allow for expansion as the child and liver graft grow.
- The anterior wall will be reconstructed with interrupted sutures of 6-0 prolene, to allow for expansion as the child and liver graft grow.
- An alternative technique for anastomosis, a continuous running suture, would be appropriate for an adult transplant where growth is not anticipated.
References