Management of the middle hepatic vein and its tributaries in right lobe living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Left liver graft from a small donor will not meet the metabolic demands of a larger adult recipient. To overcome the problem of graft size insufficiency, living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using the right lobe has become a standard method for adult patients. As the drainage of the median sector (segments V, VIII and IV) is mainly by the middle hepatic vein (MHV), the issue of whether the MHV should or should not be taken with the graft or whether the MHV tributaries (V5, V8) should be reconstructed in the recipient remains to be settled. DATA SOURCES: An English-language literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (1985-2006) on right lobe living donor liver transplantation, middle hepatic vein, vein graft, hepatic venoplasty and other related subjects. RESULTS: Some institutions had proposed their policy for the management of the MHV and its tributaries. Dominancy of the hepatic vein, graft-to-recipient weight ratio, and remnant liver volume as well as the donor-to-recipient body weight ratio, the volume of the donor's right lobe to the recipient's standard liver volume and the size of MHV tributaries are the major elements for the criteria of inclusion of the MHV, while for the policy of MHV tributaries reconstruction, the proportion of congestive area and the diameter of the tributaries are the critical elements. Optimal vein grafts such as recipient's portal vein and hepatic venoplasty technique have been used to obviate hepatic congestion and venous drainage disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: Taking right liver grafts with the MHV trunk (extended right lobe grafts) or performing the MHV tributaries reconstruction in modified right lobe grafts, according to the criteria proposed by the institutions with rich experience, can solve the congestion problem of the right paramedian sector and help to improve the outcomes of the patients. The additional use of optimal vein grafts and hepatic venoplasty also can guarantee excellent venous drainage.

Management of the Middle Hepatic Vein in Right Lobe Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Meta-analysis

Summary： Living donor liver transplantation （LDLT） is a curative treatment for end stage liver disease. It is advantageous due to the shortage of deceased donors. However, in LDLT, whether the middle he- patic vein （MHV） should be preserved in donors remains controversial. We conducted searches in Pub- reed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Ovid, and Google Scholar using the key words ＂living donor liver transplantation＂ and ＂middle hepatic vein＂. Due to ethical issues, there were no randomized control trails focusing on MHV in LDLT. The majority of reports were retrospective studies. We exam- ined the reference lists to identify related investigations. Google Scholar was then used to obtain full texts. Nine observational studies were analyzed. There were no significant differences in liver function （WMD, -5.51; P=0.12） and complications （RR, 0.98; P=0.89） in donors with or without MHV. How- ever, the liver function in recipients was greatly improved after LDLT with MHV （WMD, -78.32; P=0.01）. No definite conclusion was obtained in terms of the liver regeneration indices between LDLT with or without MHV. It was conclude that grafts with MHV in LDLT favor recipient outcomes and do not harm the living donor if a careful preoperative evaluation is oerformed.

Reconstruction of the middle hepatic vein tributary in adult right lobe living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: In adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), the use of a right lobe graft without the middle hepatic vein (MHV) can cause hepatic congestion and disturbance of venous drainage. To solve this problem, we successfully used cadaveric venous allografts preserved in 4 ℃ University of Wisconsin (UW) solution within 10 days as interposition veins for drainage of the paramedian portion of the right lobe in adult LDLT. METHODS: From June 2007 to January 2008, 11 adult LDLT patients received modified right liver grafts. The major MHV tributaries (greater than 5 mm in diameter) of 9 cases were preserved and reconstructed using cadaveric interposition vein allografts that had been stored for 1 to 10 days in 4 ℃ UW solution. The regeneration of the paramedian sector of the grafts and the patency of the interposition vein allografts were examined by Doppler ultrasonography after the operation. RESULTS: MHV tributaries were reconstructed in 9 recipients. Only 1 recipient died of renal failure and severe pulmonary infection on day 9 after transplantation without any hemiliver venous outflow obstruction. The other 8 recipients achieved long-term survival with a median follow-up of 30 months. The cumulative patency rates of the 8 recipients were 63.63% (7/11), 45.45% (5/11), 45.45% (5/11) and 36.36% (4/11) at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. Regeneration of the paramedian sectors was equivalent.CONCLUSION: The cadaveric venous allograft preserved in 4 ℃ UW solution within 10 days serves as a useful alternative for interposition veins in facilitating implantation of a right lobe graft and guarantees outflow of the MHV.

New insights in the management of the middle hepatic vein dilemma

When the first series of adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation(A2A-LDLT)were performed in Hong Kong[1],it was immediately clear that great technical challenges existed,mainly concerning the middle hepatic vein(MHV)tributaries management.

Precise hepatectomy guided by the middle hepatic vein

The middle hepatic vein (MHV) lies in the midplane of the liver. The classical teaching of right or left hepatectomy is transection of liver I cm to the right or left wall of the MHV in order to avoid bleeding. However, guidance of liver transection is lost if the course of the MHV is not known. By exposing the MHV early in the phase of liver transection and following its course to the inferior vena cava, a precise liver transection plane could be obtained. Such technique has the potential of achieving adequate tumor-free resection margin, avoiding damage to intrahepatic portal pedicles, preserving venous drainage and functional liver tissue, and less postoperative infection.

Efficacy of middle hepatic vein reconstruction in adult right-lobe living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Congestion of the right anterior segment may lead to graft dysfunction in right-lobe living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) without a middle hepatic vein (MHV) trunk. Selective reconstruction of MHV tributaries with the interposition of vascular grafts has been introduced to overcome this problem. However, there is still no consensus on the definite criteria of MHV reconstruction. METHODS: LDLT patients were reviewed to evaluate the effects of MHV reconstruction. From March 2005 to September 2008 in our transplantation center, 120 consecutive LDLTs were performed using a right-lobe graft without a MHV. Excluding 11 patients, among the remainder, 73 (67%) had reconstructed MHV tributaries, and the others 36 (33%) did not. The values of liver functional index and liver graft regeneration ratio were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There was a prolonged period of liver functional recovery in patients with small-for-size grafts and a graft-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) <1.0%, and without MHV reconstruction. The ratio of liver regeneration 1 month postoperatively in reconstruction cases was 81%, versus 78% in patients without reconstruction (P=0.352), but among small-for-size grafts, there was a significant difference between the two groups (95% vs. 80%). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that reconstruction of MHV tributaries is not necessary in all patients, but is beneficial for patients with GRWR <1.0%. (Hepatobiliary Pancrent Dis Int 2010; 9: 135-138)

Color Doppler ultrasonographic assessment of the risk of injury to major branch of the midddle hepatic vein during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

OBJEGTIVE: To investigate the causes of hemorrhage from the gallbladder bed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: 617 patients who had received laparoscopic cholecystectomy from September, 2000 to March, 2001 at this hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Ninety-one of these patients were selected randomly for prospective observation. Color Doppler ultrasound was used to examine the cause of venous hemorrhage from the gallbladder bed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to examine the anatomic relationship between the gallbladder bed and the branches of the middle hepatic vein in 91 patients preoperatively. RESULTS: A large branch of the middle hepatic vein extended closely behind the gallbladder bed in all 91 patients. The mean distance between the closest point (C point) of this branch to the gallbladder bed was 5.0±4.6 mm. The branch of the middle hepatic vein was completely adherent to the gallbladder bed in 14 (15.38%) of the 91 patients. The distance between this branch and the gallbladder bed was within I mm in 10 (10.99%) of the 91 patients. The inside diameter at C point of this branch was 3.2±1.1 mm. The C point was found on the left side of the longitudinal axis of the gallbladder in 31 (34.66%) of the 91 patients, on the right side in 39 patients (42.86%), just on the axis in 21 patients (23.08%). The venous blood flow rate at the C point was 9.9±3.3 cm/s. CONCLUSIONS: A large branch of the middle hepatic vein passes behind the gallbladder. The inside diameter of this branch is relatively larger. The bleeding of this branch during operation can only be stopped by transfixion. The closest point of this vein to the gallbladder is mostly situated on the right side of the longitudinal axis of the gallbladder. Patients with large branches of the middle hepatic vein close to the gallbladder bed are at risk of hemorrhage during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and should be identified preoperatively with ultrasound.

Absent middle hepatic vein in a right liver graft donor

BACKGROUND: The middle hepatic vein (MHV) is normally in form of a large trunk lying within the midplane of the liver. An anomaly in form of two separate trunks, each draining segment V/VIII and segment IV, has been described by Couinaud but not been well documented in the literature. METHOD: We report a right liver donor in whom the MHV was absent and not encountered during liver transection along the midplane of the liver. RESULTS: On computed tomography (CT) scan and intraoperative ultrasonography, there was a large segment VIII hepatic vein mistaken as the MHV on preoperative assessment and a large segment IV hepatic vein close to the ligamenturn venosum. CT volumetry based on either segment VIII or IV hepatic vein led to major error in liver volume calculation. Transection of the liver guided by segment VIII or IV hepatic vein would lead to sacrifice of liver parenchyma unnecessarily or presence of necrotic liver in the graft. CONCLUSION: Absent MHV is a rare anomaly. It is revealed by careful study of the CT scan.

Clinical Observation on the Long-Term Therapeutic Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treatment of Liver Fibrosis

48 patients with liver fibrosis due to hepatitis B were treated for 2 years with the drugs for tonifying the kidney, supplementing qi, cooling and invigorating the blood and detoxification. The symptoms were markedly improved, and serum ALT and bilirubin were recovered and kept normal in most of the cases. The mean levels of serum hyaluronic acid, procollagen peptide III and circulating immune complex were decreased and returned to normal after the treatment. B-ultrasonography showed that the portal vein kept in normal size in 82% of the patients, the enlarged portal vein diminished in diameter, and the enlarged spleen reduced.

Protection of the liver during partial hepatectomy

BACKGROUND: Liver failure is the most common cause of mortality for patients undergoing partial hepatectomy. Given adequate liver function and remnant liver volume and absence of co-morbid illness, the cause of liver failure is frequently related to technical errors, which induces mas- sive bleeding and ischemic damage to the liver remnant. DATA RESOURCES: From author' s practice at Queen Mary Hospital, the University of Hong Kong. RESULTS: To avoid technical errors leading to liver ische- mia and failure, adequate exposure, control of bleeding during liver transection, and planning of transection plane are important. Ultrasonic dissector is the best instrument in liver transection. Its careful use can reduce blood loss and help recognize the hepatic vein, the exposure of which serves as an important landmark for a correct transection plane. Even without Pringle maneuver, minimum bleeding during transection could be achieved. CONCLUSION: Protection of the liver remnant is impor- tant to patient survival after partial hepatectomy. It is achieved by meticulous surgical techniques that reduce bleeding to a minimum.

Clinical study on safety of adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation in both donors and recipients

AIM： TO investigate the safety of adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation （A-A LDLT） in both donors and recipients. METHODS： From January 2002 to July 2006, 50 cases of A-A LDLT were performed at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, consisting of 47 cases using right lobe graft without middle hepatic vein （HHV）, and 3 cases using dual grafts （one case using two left lobe, 2 using one right lobe and one left lobe）. The most common diagnoses were hepatitis B liver cirrosis, 30 （60%） cases; and hepatocellular carcinoma, 15 （30%） cases in adult recipients. Among them, 10 cases had the model of end-stage liver disease （HELD） with a score of more than 25. Donor screening consisted of reconstruction of the hepatic blood vessels and biliary system with 3-dimension computed tomography and volumetry of whole liver and right liver volume. Various improved surgical techniques were adopted in the procedures for both donors and recipients. RESULTS： Forty-nine right lobes and 3 left lobes （2 left lobe grafts for 1 recipient, 1 left lobe graft for 1 recipient who had received right lobe graft donated by relative living donor） were obtained from 52 living donors. The 49 right lobe grafts, without HHV, weighed 400 g-850 g （media 550 g）, and the ratio of graft volume to recipient standard liver volume （GV/SLV） ranged from 31.74% to 71.68% （mean 45.35%）. All donors＇ remnant liver volume was over 35% of the whole liver volume. There was no donor mortality. With a follow- up of 2-52 mo （media 9 too）, among 50 adult recipients, complications occurred in 13 （26%） cases and 4 （8%） died postoperatively within 3 mo. Their 1-year actual survival rate was 92%.CONCLUSION： When preoperative CT volumetry shows volume of remnant liver is more than 350, the ratio of right lobe graft to recipients standard liver volume exceeding 40%, A-A LDLT using right lobe graft without MHV should be a very safe procedure for both donors and recipients, otherwise dual grafts liver transplantation should be considered.

Multimodality treatment in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with tumor thrombi in portal vein

AIM: To compare the therapeutic effect and significances of multimodality treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombi in portal vein (PVTT). METHODS: HCC patients (n=147) with tumor thrombi in the main portal vein or the first branch of portal vein were divided into four groups by the several therapeutic methods. There were conservative treatment group in 18 out of patients (group A); and hepatic artery ligation(HAL) and/or hepatic artery infusion (HAI) group in 18 patients (group B), in whom postoperative chemoembolization was done periodically; group of removal of HCC with PVTT in 79 (group C) and group of transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) or HAI and/or portal vein infusion (PVI) after operation in 32 (group D). RESULTS: The median survival period was 12 months in our series and the 1-,3-, and 5-year survival rates were 44.3%, 24.5% and 15.2%, respectively. The median survival times were 2, 5, 12 and 16 months in group A, B, C and D, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 5.6%, 0% and 0% in group A; 22.2%, 5.6% and 0% in group B; 53.9%, 26.9% and 16.6% in group C; 79.3%, 38.9% and 26.8% in group D, respectively. Significant difference appeared in the survival rates among the groups (P 【 0.05). CONCLUSION: Hepatic resection with removal of tumor thrombi and HCC should increase the curative effects and be encouraged for the prolongation of life span and quality of life for HCC patients with PVTT, whereas the best therapeutic method for HCC with PVTT is with regional hepatic chemotherapy or chemoembolization after hepatic resection with removal of tumor thrombi.

Gender difference in clinicopathologic features and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To determine the influence of gender on the clinicopathologic characteristics and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of medical records was performed in 299 patients with HCC and their clinicopathologic features and survival were compared in relation to gender. RESULTS: There were 260 male (87%) and 39 female patients (13%),with a male-to-female ratio of 6.7:1.Female patients had lower mean serum bilirubin levels (P=0.03), lower proportion of alcohol abuse (P=0.002),smaller mean tumor size (P=0.02),more frequent nodular type but less frequent massive and diffuse types of HCC (P=0.01),were less advanced in Okuda's staging (P=0.04),and less frequently associated with venous invasion (P=0.03).The median survivals in females (14 too) were significantly longer than that of male patients (4 mo) (P=0.004,log-rank test). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that high serum alpha- fetoprotein levels,venous invasion,extrahepatic metastasis and lack of therapy were independent factors related to unfavorable prognosis.However,gender did not constitute a predictive variable associated with patient survival. CONCLUSION: Female patients tend to have higher survival rates than males.These differences were probably due to more favorable pathologic features of HCC at initial diagnosis and greater likelihood to undergo curative therapy in female patients.

Glisson蒂横断联合循肝中静脉入路在腹腔镜下原发性肝癌左半肝切除术中的临床应用价值

目的探讨Glisson蒂横断联合循肝中静脉入路在腹腔镜下原发性肝癌左半肝切除术中的安全性及可行性。方法采用回顾性病例对照研究方法,选取2018年1月至2023年1月我院完成的68例行腹腔镜下原发性肝癌左半肝切除的患者,根据手术方式的不同分为观察组(30例,采用Glisson蒂横断联合循肝中静脉入路行腹腔镜左半肝切除术)和对照组(38例,采用传统Pringle法循肝中静脉入路行腹腔镜左半肝切除术)。比较两组患者的围术期情况、肝功能情况、肿瘤标志物水平、并发症发生率及远期生存率。结果两组患者均顺利完成手术,观察组术中肝血流阻断时间、术中出血量、离断肝实质时间均低于对照组,两组肝功能(TBIL、AST、ALT、ALB)及乳酸比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),观察组术后肿瘤复发转移率低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论Glisson蒂横断联合循肝中静脉入路在腹腔镜左半肝切除术应用安全可行,更符合腹腔镜解剖性肝切除的原则。

胆囊床内肝中静脉的应用解剖

目的 :为临床胆囊切除术提供形态学资料。方法 :对 12 8例肝脏标本的胆囊床进行解剖 ,观察突入胆囊床内肝中静脉及其属支的行程、位置 ,测量突入段的直径和长度。结果 :肝中静脉及其属支突入胆囊床的占 12 .5 % ( 16例 ) ,突入形式主要有 :①肝中静脉主干 ;②右前叶支、或左内叶支、或两者一起突出 ;③右前叶支属支、左内叶支属支、或两者一起突出 3种类型。结论 :胆囊切除时 ,应注意保护肝中静脉及属支 ,以防止出血。

腹腔镜胆囊切除术中胆囊床肝中静脉及其属支损伤的预防和处理

目的探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术中胆囊床肝中静脉及属支损伤出血的预防及处理。方法回顾分析17例腹腔镜胆囊切除术中胆囊床肝中静脉及属支出血处理的临床资料。结果 17例肝中静脉及其属支术中出血,16例在腹腔镜下成功止血,1例中转开腹止血,术后无再出血。结论腹腔镜胆囊切除术中应重视肝中静脉及其属支的存在,避免其发生损伤。术中一旦发生肝中静脉及其属支损伤出血,应判断清楚出血血管的粗细和走行方向,决定钳夹止血或缝合止血。对合并肝硬化,出血量大的病例,最好中转开腹止血。

含肝中静脉的成人间右半肝活体肝移植

目的探讨成人间含肝中静脉右半肝活体肝移植的可行性及临床效果。方法回顾性分析我院2007年2-11月完成的30例含肝中静脉的成人活体右半肝移植的资料,观察临床效果。结果右半肝供肝重量为540-1 058 g（中位数708 g）,供者残肝体积均大于全肝体积的30%。供、受者围手术期无死亡。供者发生并发症4例（13.3%）,受者发生并发症7例（23.3%）,均治愈。术后对供、受者随访2-8月（中位数5月）,随访期间供者无死亡,1例（3.3%）受者术后4月死于曲霉菌感染。结论含肝中静脉的成人间活体右半肝移植供者是安全的,受者临床效果满意。

超声多普勒测量大脑中动脉和肝内脐静脉血流速度预测胎儿α地中海贫血的研究

目的:探讨应用超声多普勒联合测量胎儿大脑中动脉(MCA)和肝内脐静脉(IHUV)血流速度预测胎儿α地中海贫血(简称地贫)的价值。方法:对127例具有α地贫风险的胎儿和正常对照组44例胎儿行二维及多普勒超声检查,测量胎儿MCA收缩期峰值血流速度(PSV)和IHUV最大速度(Vmax),并行羊膜腔穿刺或脐血穿刺术进行α地贫基因诊断。MCA-PSV和IHUV-Vmax均用中位数的倍数(MOM)表示。结果:重型α地贫胎儿MCA-PSV、IHUV-Vmax明显高于中间型α地贫、轻型α地贫和正常胎儿,差异有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。MCA-PSV和IHUV-Vmax预测胎儿重型α地贫的最佳临界点分别为1.29,1.27 MOM。MCA-PSV>1.29 MOMI、HUV-Vmax>1.27 MOM预测胎儿重型α地贫的灵敏度分别为80.00%、63.33%,特异度分别为93.62%、75.18%。MCA-PSV和IHUV-Vmax相结合预测胎儿重型α地贫的灵敏度、特异度分别为96.67%、98.42%。结论:超声多普勒测量胎儿MCA-PSVI、HUV-Vmax可作为预测胎儿重型α地贫的一种非侵入性方法。MCA-PSV是预测胎儿重型α地贫的可靠参数,优于IHUV-Vmax。MCA-PSV和IHUV-Vmax相结合,可以提高预测胎儿重型α地贫的灵敏度、特异度,降低重型α地贫漏诊率。

活体肝移植肝中静脉的临床解剖研究

目的:为活体肝移植(LDLT)提供有关肝中静脉(MHV)的解剖学资料。方法:通过50例成人无病变肝标本剥离解剖,对MHV主干进行形态学观测,采集相关数据并进行统计分析。结果:MHV与肝左静脉(LHV)共干者为80.0%(40/50),单独开口者为20.0%(10/50),其中前者77.5%(31/40),后者90.0%(9/10)开口于IVC肝后段上份1:00点位;MHV依主干支数可分为三型;MHV主干、肝外段、外科干长分别为(68.3±15.4)mm,(6.9±2.8)mm,(8.1±6.2)mm;主干汇入IVC处(近端)、中点(1/2处)及起始端内径分别为(8.7±1.5)mm,(7.3±1.4)mm,(6.4±1.5)mm;MHV与IVC的夹角为(50.0±9.8)°;MHV主干上壁距IVC汇入口1～4cm处及起始处至肝膈面的深度分别为(14.9±6.4)mm,(26.4±6.9)mm,(35.3±9.2)mm,(38.8±5.0)mm,(34.5±5.2)mm;MHV主干走行与传统定位肝中裂的"标志线"并非完全一致。结论:MHV汇入IVC的形式以MHV与LHV共干者居多;MHV单独汇入IVC者其开口部位较共干者有相对呈向前的趋势;MHV主干在肝膈面的投影多位于"标志线"的右侧。

门静脉和肝中静脉内径与肝纤维化相关性的临床研究

目的探讨慢性肝病患者的门静脉和肝中静脉内径与肝纤维化程度的相关性。方法173例经过肝活检病理确诊的慢性肝病患者,超声测量其门静脉主干内径(DPV)和肝中静脉内径(DMHV),然后将DPV和DMHV与肝纤维化分期作相关性分析。结果肝纤维化S4期的DPV[(11.74±1.32)mm]高于S3期[(11.01±1.22)mm]、S2期[(10.44±1.35)mm]、S1期[(10.13±0.62)mm]和S0期[(10.08±1.55)mm],P<0.01;DPV与肝纤维化分期的相关性(rs=0.376,P<0.01)。S4期的DMHV[(4.30±1.76)mm]小于S3期[(6.11±1.77)mm]、S2期[(6.50±1.68)mm]、S1期[(7.31±1.71)mm]和S0期[(8.01±0.68)mm],P<0.01;DMHV与肝纤维化分期的相关性(rs=-0.471,P<0.01);联合DPV和DMHV诊断S4期的曲线下面积为0.771,大于DPV(0.711)和DMHV(0.761)。结论DPV和DMHV与慢性肝病的肝纤维化程度均有较好的相关性,DPV和DMHV联合检测对于早期肝硬化的诊断有更好的临床价值。