Living donor liver transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome with hepatic inferior vena cava obstruction after open pericardial procedures

Surg Today. 2013 Oct;43(10):1180-4. doi: 10.1007/s00595-012-0440-1. Epub 2012 Nov 28.

Abstract

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) presents a unique challenge as it does not involve replacement of the hepatic inferior vena cava (IVC). We report a case of successful LDLT in a patient with BCS associated with occlusion of the hepatic veins as well as the IVC. A 34-year-old woman with a history of two open pericardial procedures had decompensated liver failure and portal hypertension. Venography showed complete obstruction of the hepatic IVC and well-developed collateral vessels. We performed LDLT via sternotomy and laparotomy, with an end-to-end anastomosis between the left hepatic vein of the donor and the patient's suprahepatic vena cava in the pericardium. The patient recovered uneventfully and has been doing well for 5 years. LDLT without caval replacement for BCS in a patient with hepatic IVC obstruction is feasible if the patient has good functional collaterals before liver transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anastomosis, Surgical / methods
  • Budd-Chiari Syndrome / surgery*
  • Female
  • Hepatic Veins / surgery
  • Humans
  • Liver / blood supply*
  • Liver Transplantation / methods*
  • Living Donors*
  • Pericardium / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / surgery*