[The role of the middle hepatic vein in the living donor liver transplantation with right hemiliver]. / Rolul venei hepatice medii în transplantul hepatic de la donator viu cu hemificat drept.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Living donor liver transplantation has appeared and developed as a consequence to the shortage of organs. In case of right hemiliver procurement, the role of the middle hepatic vein is crucial for the prevention of right anterior section congestion and the promotion of liver regeneration. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We performed a retrospective study on a group of 36 adult patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation with right hemiliver in Fundeni Clinical Institute, having as a major indication liver cirrhosis. Concerning the middle hepatic vein, this was procured in 10 cases, not procured nor reconstructed in another 10 cases, and reconstructed on the bench in 16 cases. RESULTS: The immediate postoperative survival was roughly 91%, with 7 cases of "small for size syndrome", 2 cases being retransplanted. CONCLUSIONS: In case of living donor liver transplantation with the right hemiliver, the reconstruction of the middle hepatic vein helps the liver regeneration and prevent the "small for size" syndrome.