SUPERIOR MESENTERIC VEIN INFLOW FOR LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION WHEN THE PORTAL-VEIN IS OCCLUDED

  • 1 March 1990
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 107  (3) , 342-345
Abstract
An alternative solution to the problem of liver transplantation in the patient with an occluded portal vein is described. It uses a bridge graft of donor iliac vein from the superior mesenteric vein at the base of the colonic mesentery. The graft is tunnelled over the pancreas and under the stomach to the region of the liver hilum to provide portal inflow. This procedure was employed successfully in four patients, with patency for more than 2 years in the patient with the longest follow-up. By this approach it is routinely possible to perform a transport procedure in a recipient with an occluded portal vein.