RESULTS OF USING THE RECIPIENTS SPLENIC ARTERY FOR ARTERIAL RECONSTRUCTION IN LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION IN 23 PATIENTS

Background. Arterial reconstruction is essential in liver transplantat ion. In some patients there may be an inadequate flow as a result of s tenosis, intimal dissection, or anomalies of the hepatic artery. Metho ds. This study analyzes our experience with 23 patients in whom arteri al anastomosis was performed using the splenic artery due to the inade quacy of the hepatic artery. During the same period an aortoiliac cond uit was used in 12 liver transplantations due to the same problem. Res ults. No splenic infarction, pancreatitis, or other related complicati ons were found. Artery thrombosis developed in only two patients in th e aortoiliac conduit group. One-and three-year patient actuarial survi val were 78% vs. 80% and 72% vs. 80%, respectively, for the splenic ar tery group and the aortoiliac conduit group. Conclusions. Anastomosis with the splenic artery is an alternative in liver transplantation and is particularly suitable when splenomegaly is present.