Living-related liver transplantation with renoportal anastomosis for a patient with large spontaneous splenorenal collateral

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A large splenorenal collateral must be interrupted during liver transplantation to secure adequate portal perfusion. However, this process increases the complexity of the operative procedure and may cause hazardous bleeding. Recently, renoportal anastomosis in portal reconstruction was reported in cadaveric liver transplantation for patients with surgically created splenorenal shunts. We used this technique in a living-related liver transplantation. METHODS: A 29-year-old female with a large spontaneous splenorenal collateral and a portal venous thrombus underwent a living-related liver transplantation. At surgery, the left renal vein was divided and the distal stump was anastomosed to the portal vein of the graft without interrupting collaterals. RESULTS: Adequate portal venous blood flow was maintained throughout the postoperative course. The patient was discharged 9 weeks after transplantation and remains well. CONCLUSION: The renoportal anastomosis could be used for portal reconstruction in living-related liver transplantation for patients with a large splenorenal collateral. It provides adequate portal perfusion without interrupting collateral circulation.