Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 19, 2025
14:52
Re-Arterialized Rat Partial Liver Transplantation with an in vivo Vessel-Oriented 70% Hepatectomy
Published on: April 8, 2018
12.0K
Splenic Artery Transposition for Liver Transplantation: An Underutilized Technique?
Matthew B Goss1, N Thao N Galván2, Joseph D Geha2
1McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX.
Transplantation Direct
|February 1, 2021
Summary
Splenic artery transposition (SAT) offers a safe and effective method for hepatic artery reconstruction in liver transplant recipients with unsuitable native arteries. This technique ensures adequate blood flow to the donor liver, leading to positive patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Hepatobiliary surgery
- Transplant surgery
- Vascular reconstruction
Background:
- Restoration of hepatic arterial (HA) flow is critical for successful liver transplantation.
- Unsuitable native recipient HAs necessitate extra-anatomic HA reconstruction.
- Splenic artery transposition (SAT) is a rare but viable technique for HA reconstruction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of splenic artery transposition (SAT) for extra-anatomic hepatic artery reconstruction.
- To describe the outcomes of SAT in liver transplant recipients with complex surgical histories.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of prospectively collected patient data.
- Description of the SAT technique involving transposition of the recipient splenic artery.
- Anastomosis of the transposed splenic artery to the donor celiac trunk.
Main Results:
- All three patients (2 adults, 1 pediatric) demonstrated rapid normalization of liver function tests postoperatively.
- Brisk hepatic arterial flow was confirmed by Doppler ultrasound.
- Long-term follow-up (1-3 years) showed continued patency of the reconstructed HAs and normal liver function.
Conclusions:
- Splenic artery transposition (SAT) is a safe and effective option for extra-anatomic hepatic artery reconstruction in liver transplantation.
- SAT facilitates successful reestablishment of hepatic perfusion in complex cases.
