Left gastric vein as an alternative of portal revascularization in liver transplant

Abstract

Portal vein thrombosis or hipoplasia have not been, anymore, a contraindication for orthotopic liver transplantation. Nevertheless, it remains an obstacle associated with increased incidence of primary and long-term liver failure. There are some risk factors like being male, advanced cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease and previos surgery for portal hypertension. The authors report a case of a 4-yr-old female patient who suffered from end-stage liver disease resulting from biliary atresia with failed Kasai´s operation. She underwent orthotopic liver transplantation for secondary biliary cirrhosis. During surgery a severe recipient portal vein hipoplasia was found. An anastomosis between the recipient left gastric vein and the graft portal vein was performed. Hepatic reperfusion and subsequent liver function were excellent. The patient left hospital on the 30th postoperative day. The left gastric vein can be an alternative of portal revascularization in liver transplant.

Liver transplation; Portal vein thrombosis; Left gastric vein