Urgent living-related liver transplantation using a graft with multiple intrahepatic arterioportal fistulae
Hashikura, Y.; Kawasaki, S.; Miyagawa, S.; Matsunami, H.; Terada, M.; Ikegami, T.; Nakazawa, Y.; Chisuwa, H.; Kubota, T.; Makuuchi, M.
Transplantation 64(7): 1076-1078
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-1337 PMID: 9381533 Document Number: 472763
Background. We describe the case of a man with intrahepatic arterioportal fistulae located in the left lobe, whose left lateral segment was transplanted into his son who was suffering from severe acute hepatitis B. Methods. A male infant with severe acute hepatitis B was considered to be a candidate for liver transplantation. The father was willing to be the donor. Preoperative evaluation of the donor revealed intrahepatic arterioportal fistulae, however, duplex ultrasonography showed normograde portal blood flow. A living-related liver transplantation was performed. Results. The postoperative course for both the donor and recipient was uneventful. The recipient is free of recurrent hepatitis B and has normograde portal blood flow. Conclusions. The present case suggests that there may be a symptomless population with intrahepatic arterioportal fistulae, which cause various degrees of disruption of the portal blood flow. Duplex ultrasonography might be helpful in the evaluation of candidates for liver donation.