The Feasibility of Right Posterior Sector Graft in the Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using an right posterior sector (RPS) graft selected by liver volumetry of living donors.

METHODS: From April 2008 to August 2014, 132 LDLTs were performed in our hospital. Of these, 20 recipients (15.1%) received an RPS graft. Perioperative data of LDLTs using an RPS graft were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS: Mean of the Model for End-stage Liver Disease score of the 20 recipients was 12.1+/-6.2. The mean right liver volume was 72.4%+/-3.1% of total liver volume (TLV) and the mean volume of RPS was 38.2%+/-5.3% of TLV. Anatomical anomalies were found in the portal vein (PV) of 14 donors (70%), in the hepatic artery of one donor (5%), and bile duct of seven donors (35%). All donors were discharged with normal liver function. Two donors (10%) developed bile leakage after RPS donation. None of the recipients experienced complication associated with hepatic artery and PV anastomosis. One recipient had in-hospital mortality due to pneumonia. The remaining 19 recipients were discharged with good graft function. Four recipients (20%) developed biliary stricture and one (5%) had a liver abscess during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: The RPS donor had a high incidence of abnormal anatomy of PV. LDLT using an RPS graft might have high incidence of biliary complications. We think that selection of an RPS graft from a donor with an inappropriately large right lobe volume could expand the donor pool and be a feasible option in LDLT.