Management of grade IV portal vein thrombosis in liver transplantation (report of 6 cases)

Objective To investigate the methods for reconstructing portal vein in liver transplantation patients with grade Ⅳ portal vein thrombosis.Methods Clinical data of 6 patients with grade Ⅳ portal vein thrombosis who underwent liver transplantations were analyzed retrospectively.Different portal vein reconstructing approaches were applied: 4 patients underwent portal vein anastomosis with internal organ varicosis vein (group A),and 2 patients underwent portal vein arterialization (group B). Portal venous flow was monitored by intraoperative ultrasound and postoperative liver function was tested periodically during follow-up.Results In group A,one patient died of celiac infection 2 months post-transplantation.The remaining three patients were followed up for 14-17 months,and their portal veins remained smooth without thrombosis and with mitigated esophageal varicosity.In group B,one patient,with recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding,died of celiac infection 47 days after liver transplantation.The patient was followed up for 33 months with satisfactory liver and kidney functions although stomach esophagus varicosity was aggravated.Portal vein blood flow in groups A and B was 1258 ± 345 and 2275 ± 247 ml/min respectively after anastomosis by intraoperative color Dopplar ultrasound monitoring. Aspertate aminotransferase (AST) in group B was significantly lower on the fourth day after liver transplantation,and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in group B was significantly lower on the 3rd,4th,5th and 6th day after liver transplantation than in group A (all P＜0.05).Serum total bilirubin (TBIL) had no statistically significant difference during the 10 days post-operation (P＞0.05).Conclusion Patients with grade Ⅳ portal vein thrombosis may achieve a satisfactory clinical effect by reconstructing portal vein through anastomosis of donor portal vein with internal organ? varicosis vein.PVA may be associated with early recovery of graft function and may be an effective remedial measure for patients with grade Ⅳ portal vein thrombosis who undergo liver transplantation. Key words: Liver transplantation;  Portal vein;  Thrombosis;  Varicosis vein;  Arterialization; Anastomosis